7th Annual Girls Fight Back for ShanMac Fundraiser
Current mood: energetic
Category: Parties and Nightlife

WHAT: 7th Annual Girls Fight Back for ShanMac Fundraiser
WHEN: Friday, March 7th 2008 from 8 pm – 12 midnight
WHERE: Slugger's Bar - 3450 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
COST: $30 per person for open bar – no advance registration necessary

This annual event is held in memory of Shannon McNamara, who was a 21-year-old college student murdered at Eastern Illinois University in 2001. Shortly after this tragedy, Shannon's college friend (Erin Weed) formed an organization called Girls Fight Back. GFB educates young women about personal safety and self-defense through live seminars, books and the educational website www.girlsfightback.org. Every March since Shannon's murder, hundreds of people attend this fundraiser to raise money for violence prevention programs in Chicago's high schools in hopes of preventing more tragedies. This year the incredible band, The Charleston Sound Machine, will be performing all night. Check them out at: www.csmband.com. Hope to see you there!

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2008 Spring Tour Announcement

After months of planning and preparation, today I am happy to announce the official Girls Fight Back Spring Tour '08! At left you will see the official logo of the Spring Tour. Little Gigi, our trademarked stick person, has sprouted butterfly wings! But really, what better way to symbolize spring than the fresh start of a butterfly. So get ready to flap your wings, because this tour is gonna be nuts. Already we have 20 cities (mostly colleges) confirmed, with calls and e-mails rolling in daily. So I got two words for ya…GAME ON.

spring_08_tour_shirt.jpgWe have some really fun perks for the Spring Tour, in case you're interested in hopping on that train. First off, anyone who books a GFB seminar on the tour by February 1st will receive a 10% discount off the speaking fee. And if you pick a date when I'm already in your geographic area, you'll receive another 10% discount on top of that. Everyone on the Spring Tour roster will receive free GFB books, free 11×17 posters to publicize your event, REALLY CUTE free t-shirts (girly T's…long & fitted…click to enlarge photo at left) and a step-by-step Event Planning Guide. Want more info about booking a presentation during the tour? Call our Events Coordinator, Michelle Parilla, at 1-866.432.2423.

And check this out…during the Spring Tour '08 I'll be shooting my first documentary called "Journey of a Girlfighter." It's going to be a film exploring violence against women in America, and what we can do about it. Scenes will include: Live GFB seminar footage, interviews with some incredible (and famous) people working for a peaceful society, and my own journey back to Charleston where my dear friend Shannon was murdered. It's going to be a deeper and darker version of anything you've seen from me before, but I hope it will be cathartic. Not only will it be an emotional and mental journey as I create this film, it will also be a physical one. Shannon and I were running partners in college, and she was always asking me to do a long distance race with her. My answer was always something to the effect of, "HELL NO." She was an award winning track athlete, while I'm a 11 minute miler. But to raise money for violence prevention education in America's schools, I will be running my first marathon. Yes, I said it. Holy crap. And now I'm terrified, because it means I actually have to do it. And you will be able to watch the entire thing unfold in the comfort of your living room…

Creating this film with the permission of Shannon's family is really a full-circle moment for me. Prior to Shannon being murdered, I was working as a documentary producer in New York City. After she died though, my entire focus became GFB. Now I'm coming back to my roots, and I can't wait to see what happens.

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Stayin' safe on MySpace

I'd like to give you a few ideas of things you shouldn't post on MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, etc.  While it's fun and cool to surf around on these sites, remember there are people online who don't have your best interests at heart.  For this reason, never post the following on your profile: phone numbers, class schedules, where you live, any personal info that can identify you in real life, or sexually explicit stuff (screen names, photos, etc.)

Have a blast here at MySpace, but avoid dishing out what we call T.M.I.  (Too much information)  Stay safe, have fun and be well...and never hesitate to report someone who gives you the creeps.  When you get a sec, check out the "safety tips" provided by MySpace at the bottom of this page.

Strong. Resilient. Spirited. Unified.
Erin Weed, founder of Girls Fight Back!

11:58 AM - 7 Comments - 11 Kudos - Add Comment