The lyrics of Destiny Child’s “I am a Survivor” often wash over me. How can they not?
I\’m a survivor (What?)
I\’m not goin\’ give up (What?)
I\’m not goin\’ stop (What?)
I\’m goin\’ work harder (What?)
Over the last month while traveling and speaking to groups throughout the state, I met many other survivors who have suffered the pain, agony and torment of physical, mental and emotional invasions. Oh, how their stories resonated in me.
One such woman who is making an Oprah-sized impact on our planet is Paige Slocumb of Macon, Ga. I had the honor of meeting Paige in Milledgeville while we served as guest speakers this past weekend. Paige is passionate about ONE THING. She wants our world to be a safe place for women to live. Of course we join her in her journey, don\’t we?
Her story is powerful.
On July 25, 2006, during the middle of the day, Paige’s older sister, Jenny Ewing, was riding her bike on the Silver Comet Trail in Atlanta. She had her cell phone with her and was also equipped with pepper spray. Someone came out of the woods, dragged her off of her bike into that darkness we survivors all know. Evidence proves Jenny made every effort to fight for her life, scratching and even biting her attacker. Jenny, who was vigilant, safety conscious and intelligent, still fell victim as she was brutally assaulted and kicked to death. Sadly, her final conscious moments were that of being raped.
In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, Paige created Safe Alone, Inc to teach women and girls how to fight back. Her mantra is “Fight Like a Girl” and she teaches us how to use the powerful parts of a female’s body to save us from a man’s assault. Her message resounded in my soul as she states emphatically women SHOULD be safe alone. We SHOULD NOT have to worry about being alone in a public place.
You see, I was alone in a public place and it happened to me too.
A major shout out to Paige Slocumb and her courage to help others.
If you know a women’s group who would be interested in learning these life-saving tactics as Paige and I SPEAK OUT, contact me and we will be there.