ABOUT LAUREN
Founder/Leader/Trainer/Author
Founder
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Co-founder, My Sister's Place, Washington, D.C.'s, first shelter for abused women and their children (1978)
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Organizer, Washington, D.C.'s, first March to Stop Violence Against Women (1978)
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Co-founder, Lesbian Health and Counseling Center (later affiliated with Whitman-Walker Clinic) (1981)
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Founder, Defend Yourself: Empowerment Self-Defense training for those targeted for gender-based violence (1997)
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Co-founder, professional development conference for Empowerment Self-Defense practitioners (2000)
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Co-founder, Safe Bars: Active bystander training for those who work in bars, restaurants, breweries, clubs, and concert venues (2013)
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Co-founder, National Street Harassment Hotline (2016)
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Co-founder, Empowerment Self-Defense Alliance (2016)
Photo Credit: Leigh Mosely
Writer
Selected publications:
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“What to say — and what not to say — when someone tells you they have been sexually assaulted,” The Lily (The Washington Post)
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“Don’t laugh: I have a serious reason for raising my cats gender-neutral,” The Washington Post
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“Alcohol isn’t the cause of campus sexual assault. Men are.” The Washington Post
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“No, catcalling is not an attempt to ‘be nice’” The Washington Post
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“The Assertive Response to ‘Hey Baby,” The Washington Post
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“Why It Can Be Hard To Say ‘No’ And How To Do It Anyways,” Everyday Feminism
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The Power of Feminist Self-Defense, Ms. Magazine
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“How Do YOU Respond to Street Harassment? Here Are Some Suggestions,” Ms. Blog
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“Walking Out on Spouse Abuse,” Washington Post
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“Memo to White Women: Don’t Be George Zimmerman,” Everyday Feminism
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“Actually, Miss USA is right: Self-defense can prevent sexual assaults,” The Washington Post
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Forthcoming October 2023:
Get Empowered: A Practical Guide to Thrive, Heal, and Embrace Your Confidence in a Sexist World with Nadia Telsey
Speaker
Selected speaking engagements​
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Houston Women's Convention
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Creating Change (The National LGBTQ Task Force)
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National Conference of College Women Leaders (American Association of University Women)
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National Sexual Assault Conference
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National Center for Victims of Crime’s national training institute
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Selected appearances
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“A Sisterhood Of Sexual Assault Survivors Are Sharing Stories, Shouting Back,” Joshua Johnson, The 1A, WAMU/NPR
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“Do you know how to protect yourself if you are physically attacked?” The Daily Drum, WHUR 96.3
Photo Credit: Thomas Van Veen
Leader
Selected news coverage: Defend Yourself
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“Ahead of Trump inauguration, this group trains bystanders to stand up to hate,” The Washington Post
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“Self-Defense Beyond the Breakthrough,”Ms. Magazine
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We can chip away at rape culture by teaching girls emotional self-defense, Quartz
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“Do It! With Justin: Best Self-Defense,” MetroWeekly
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“How bystanders can help groping victims,” Washington City Paper
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“Five self-defense moves you can practice at home,” Washingtonian
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“5 self-defense tips every woman should know,” The Girlfriend
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from AARP
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“Crime uptick in and near Capitol Hill drives some to learn self-defense skills,” The Washington Post
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“We’ve been teaching women to defend themselves all wrong,” Washingtonian
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Selected news coverage: Safe Bars​
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“Step Up in the Club,” Slate
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“These Bartenders are Fighting Sexual Harassment,” MicMedia
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“How bartenders fight harassment and workplace violence,” CNN
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“When Harassment Is the Price of a Job,” The Nation
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“I Train Bartenders to Prevent Sexual Assault,” MEL
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50% of Sexual Assaults Involve the Use of Alcohol,” Upworthy
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and coverage in Wine & Spirits, Imbibe, The Spirits Business, Tales of the Cocktail, Restaurant Hospitality, and more!