On March 17, 2006, the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers kicked and yelled into Spring 2006 with it's inaugural Self Defense Seminar. The seminar was held on the 2nd Floor of Stetson Law School's Tampa campus, and was attended by members of HAWL and employees of a local domestic violence shelter.

The Law Offices of Barkan Neff Handelman Meizlish sponsored the self defense instructor, Renshi ANNE RADKE, 4th Degree Black Belt, Chief Instructor of Alpha UPKUDO and President of the UPKUDO International Karate Federation.

Renshi (which is a title for Master) Radke is an internationally respected and known instructor and master trainer. Renshi Radke has been inducted into several Martial Arts Halls of Fame and her students have compiled over 800 trophies, 80 divisional titles, and one World Grand Fighting Championship title.

During her 2 hour seminar, Renshi Radke emphasized the goal of the training. "Self defense is not simply learning a few movements" says Radke. "but developing a lifestyle of awareness and preparedness that leads to greater security and peace of mind.". After the initial statistics, Renshi Radke taught the participants exercises involving assessing their situations and utilizing awareness drills to increase their overall perception of different situations. With hand pads and gloves, participants were given the chance to kick, punch, elbow, and knee different targets in order to get comfortable with various techniques. At the end of the seminar, participants were given the chance to demonstrate the lessons and techniques they learned from the seminar. According to one of the participants, Kristin Norse, Esq., "Renshi Radke stressed that YOU control the situation. You decide how far it will go."

The seminar was held as part of the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers Community Outreach program which also conducts it's "Take your child to work" program for members and local middle school students and an annual toy drive to benefit the Kinship Care Foundation.. For more information about the seminar, contact HAWL member, Anthony Reeves, Esq. at areeves@bnhmlaw.com