UND receives self-defense training sponsorship from Red River Valley Motorcyclists

Thanks to a generous contribution by the Red River Valley Motorcyclists (RRVM) to the University of North Dakota, more women will be better prepared to protect themselves if needed.

Thursday, May 17, the RRVM contributed a sponsorship worth about $3,000 to the Osher Life Long Learning Institute at UND (OLLI@UND), through a partnership with the UND Women's Center. The money will be used to help offset registration fees for OLLI's IMPACT self-defense class, offered through the Women's Center.

IMPACT (International Movement Promoting Assault Contravention Training) teaches women how to successfully knock out an assailant of any size.

"It will teach you to defend yourself no matter what limitations you have," said Connie Hodgson, coordinator of OLLI@UND. The class includes a specially trained "mugger," who dons customized padding so women can practice full force tactics.

Jane Peterson, a graduate of IMPACT and a RRVM member explained the importance of the class.

"Taking this class is one of my greatest personal achievements and I credit it for saving my life," she said. "One of the greatest gifts it gave me was heightened awareness -- and that's huge.  It's your first line of self-defense."

The RRVM raised the donation through their annual motorcycle show and live auction held at the Alerus Center. This year's theme was dedicated to volunteer fire and rescue, and personal safety.

Kay Mendick, the director of the UND Women's center and certified IMPACT instructor, has been teaching the class since 2000.

"Size or age of the woman doesn't matter, any woman can take this class," said Mendick. "It gives women more information, and more information is power."

OLLI@UND offers the IMPACT class three times a year, facilitated through the Women's Center and open to all women age 18 and older. They also offer IMPACT to UND students who can take the class for college credit.

In order to avoid giving women a false sense of security, the IMPACT class is designed to reflect real life situations as closely as possible. Hodgson said this is extremely important in preparing women to defend themselves.

"It has to be as real as possible," Hodgson said. "This is about fighting for your life."

She also stressed the constant struggle to  get women to realize how necessary this class is.

"Most don't think an attack would happen to them," she said.

The RRVM are hoping more women will attend IMPACT since their contribution will work toward making it more affordable. OLLI@UND and the Women's center encourage all women to sign up "and bring your mom, sister, aunt, daughter and girlfriends."

Hodgson assures everyone will learn something they'll never forget: "I can't say enough about this program. It's worth every penny.  Every time I start talking about it I get goose bumps. It's lifesaving."

Contact:

David L. Dodds, Media Relations/Writer & Editor, Office of University Relations, 701.777.5529| david.dodds@email.und.edu