Comments

I watched 'Just Yell Fire', and told my form tutor at school about it. It's now going to be shown to everyone in the school, and hopefully they will show their friends at other schools as well. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in the program for creating it; I know several people who have been in similar situations to those shown on the video, and they appreciate so much that something is finally being done to raise awareness of it, so that others will not be so unfortunate.

Thank you for being courageous enough to make this film. I have granddaughters I would like to protect by empowering them with the tools for such events. I am grateful to you.

A few days ago I watched Montel on TV and on the episode they talked about "just yell fire". I was so impresed by what the girls had done that I downloaded the move from your webbsite. I write this email to tell you how fare the move has gone and that I will tell all my friends about it.

I think it is an incredible thing what these girls have done. If any of them wants they are free to contact me by email, or if they don't want to do that I just want to send them all my luck and blessings.

You are an inspiration

Your an amazing young lady. I applaud your efforts. I wish that when I was your age I had this type of information. My twin sister could have protected herself and never wouild have developed a drug problem. I saw you on Montel and haven't been able to get you out of my mind. Your one of the Angels God speaks of, that are put on this earth. We are truly blessed. Thank you again for trying to make this a safer place for women, we must all stick together. You have helped so many.

This is a comment sent in to our trainers Leila Rae Sommerfeld and Valerie Mainridge of Gresham, OR

Thank you again from our entire team! You and Valerie did such a fabulous job. Several of our volunteers commented at the end that your traiing was the best self-defense class they had ever taken - and several had attended classes in the past. you adapted your presentation to fit perfectly into our time constraints and skill level. You and Valerie brought such great energy and enthusiasm to our class. We especially appreciate you taking time on a Sunday. We feel empowered to continue to advocate for sexually exploited women in and around Portland.

We are so pleased to know you and your work. I hope this is only the beginning of our partnership.

My name is Ellie and I'm fifteen years old. Today I was reading a Tae Kwon Do magazine and ran across Just Yell Fire. So I went to your website and watched the movie. I think what you guys are doing is awesome and that girls need to know that its ok to fight back and don't be afraid if someone threatens you. I'm just a yellow belt in TKD right now. But I've already learned some important self defense and how to help others in a harmful situation. The video was great and I really appretiated that you guys showed different ways to defend yourself, in different situations. My mom and Dad have always taught me to walk with confidence and to alway pay attention to that gut feeling. I can usually tell when something doesn't feel right and I always try to avoid vulnerable situations. I think that the message you guys are trying to spead is extremely important and that every girl should see this video. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for taking this issue to heart and acting on it! I am a rape survivor. 26 years later I am the wife of a minister and mother of 5 - two of them girls. I was sitting at my desk today with my back to the TV. It was really only on for "ambient noise". I was engrossed in my task at hand - literally making my written plan for a group I am starting for survivors of sexual abuse and rape. When I heard your segment on the Montel show today my blood ran cold at the divine timing. (Obviously your appearance on this date in July was a second run) I can't describe the feeling of empowerment I had listening to you girls! I am humbled by your passion for your mission. Perhaps I didn't know what to do all those years ago but my daughters will- thanks to strong young women like you! And for those of us (and we are many) who have lived with this horrible crime I will continue to share my story so that other women can regain their lives.

You young ladies have my utmost admiration and respect for your commitment to protecting other girls like Carly Bruscia and the countless others who don't make the national news. May God bless you richly for your compassion. You have certainly used the gifts He has given you for His glory!

I have watched the DVD and I think you have done a great and creative job. I think it will be quite valuable to young girls. I have 6 grand-daughters and I am very much concerned for their safety. I think your work is a great step forward in helping to keep young women safe. Also I really think your statements as to worth and self-esteem as well as "rights" was an added touch of tremendous importance. Thanks again.

I am a junior at Gettysburg College in PA. I don't know if you have been watching the news lately, but there has been a murder on our college campus last Thursday. One student (a male senior) strangled and murdered his (ex-)girlfriend of one year (a sophomore). It really shook our campus hard, along with myself, even though i did not know either one that was involved. After breaking down a little tonight, i realized, crying was not going to change the past; nor prevent incidents, assaults, nor murders like this from happening again in the future.

What will? Taking action!

I found your contact information after googling 'self defense for women classes' and wanted to get in contact with you right away. I was hoping you could hold self defense classes for female students, or any woman (faculty, staff or students) on our campus to help protect us if we were to ever get ourselves in this type of situation. It is very scary to know that an innocent 19 year old young woman was strangled, stabbed and murdered by someone that loved her for a year. Not even a stranger, or a crazy drug addict rapist on the street! Her boyfriend! Someone she trusted and loved! How scary is that? She was not able to get away, she was not able to defend herself. She died because of that.

But you... you have the power to give us woman that power. You have the ability to give us woman the ability to defend ourselves. To win. To live. And to help with our recovery of her death on our campus. I believe that immediately holding these self defense classes on our campus will prove that Emily Rachel Silverstein did not die in vain.

Please help me, help us. Give us the power, the ability to defend ourselves and live.

I teach at an alternative school for teenage students with severe emotional behavioral disabilities. I have two female students who I think would greatly benefit from this DVD. Thank you for offering this.