We're Here and We're Empowered

Guided by Sydney Meza, founder of the Empowerment Center, Equality South Dakota and Sioux Falls Pride are proud to host an afternoon of self defense education in downtown Sioux Falls to kick off Trans Awareness Week. 

Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

The Empowerment Center, believes defending yourself starts with the belief you are WORTH defending.

Experience their unique program that combines easy and effective self-defense with powerful personal development skills. This course will help build the self-esteem required to survive an attack and nurture an unstoppable mindset!

Learn to protect yourself against anyone with techniques have been used for almost 100 years to defeat opponents that are bigger and stronger. 

This class will cover:

• Establishing Physical and Verbal Boundaries
• Learn Intention Assessment -
• Psychology of an Attack
• Survivor Mindset
• Defense against the most common attacks based on survivor and police feedback
• How to defend yourself against non-strangers (co-workers, family, intimate partner)

Join us on Nov. 13 at noon and leave with the proper knowledge and ability to execute these effective and easy techniques. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing, easy to move around in. All fitness levels are welcome. 

Registration is limited so please RSVP today. Email info@eqsd.org with queries. 

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: Masks are encouraged for those who are not vaccinated. If you would like to get vaccinated, consider getting in touch with our friends at SDUIH. 

Special thanks to Sioux Falls Pride for sponsoring this event and to Coast to Coast for opening up their space in downtown Sioux Falls.