One Boudoir Babe, Two Boudoir Shoots
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What made you interested in having boudoir taken?

My first boudoir shoot was a webcam session early in the pandemic lockdown. It seemed like a safe, fun, and wholesome activity to do while stuck in my house- haha. I was also inspired by other women in my life doing shoots and wanted to gift myself this experience. Maureen is seriously skilled and every photo I've seen is amazing and beautiful and I wanted a piece of that! Also, I’d thought for a long time that "someday, my body will be (fill in the blank) enough to be photographed". And I had this realization that my body is perfect. And I might never get any hotter than this! Or maybe I will and then I can do another photoshoot!

How does your favorite photo from your session make you feel?

ALIVE! Embodied! Beautiful. Bold. Bright. ME!

What would you say to a woman who doesn't think she is beautiful enough to be photographed?

You are beautiful! Your body is powerful and perfect just the way it is. I feel lucky, privileged, to have mostly felt good about my body. It's not "perfect" (wtf does that even mean?!) - my skin isn't smooth, my tiny boobs are tiny, my thighs have a little cellulite. Whatever. I'm embracing my body and me and a photoshoot was a way to honor that. I hope you honor your body too! Do it!

What are your hopes for the next generation of women? What advice would you give to them?

I hope for women to feel fully alive. To feel safe and unapologetically free to be who they are. To have epic adventures, alone or with soulmates. To experience embodiment and self expression.

My advice - don't listen to advice. No one knows what the fuck they're doing. Learn your own truths. Tap into your own deep knowledge.

What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could meet her now?

You're on the right path. It's your path. It just gets better! You have so many adventures ahead of you - savor all of them!

What do you love most about being a woman?

I have big feelings. I love big, feel incredible joy, and overwhelming excitement. I love how this allows me to connect with other people so deeply. I love my strength and my softness. I love wearing red lipstick. I love wearing tight jeans that show off my hot ass. I love the power of being a woman.


I am your neighbor and friend so I know that you write. Do you have any personal writings you want to share with us?

Bean queen
Perhaps where it all (or at least something) started. I made some sage three-ways bean stew that tasted good enough to share. I walked to his house on the blustery-est day. I was wearing my red rain jacket, my red rain boots, and my light and tight jeans. He remembers this better than me. He also remembers me walking away. Probably because my ass looked real good. If it weren't for the pandemic, I wonder if more than the stew would've made it past his stoop.

Maureen Cassidy
Common Fears and Concerns for Boudoir Clients
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Last year I signed up for a boudoir session with a boudoir photographer I admire, Teri Hofford. She is a body image photographer & edu-creator in Winnipeg. After I booked my session I freaked out and felt I wasn’t pretty enough to be photographed. Insecurities flooded my thoughts. I was instantly comparing myself, a pale 40 something year old in the mirror, to women I see in the media. I felt the confinements of beauty culture and of being unworthy to be photographed by a professional. I think we all suffer from being “not good enough” in our lives and we can either succumb to this feeling or feel the feeling but do it thing anyway. I am 87% the do it anyway type.

So I was feeling pretty nervous about both the session and what I’d think about the photos afterward. But in the end, I’m so glad I did it- the photos are AWESOME and I came out feeling like a million bucks. I saw that my body is looking pretty hawt for 42 years old!! That the cellulite on the back of my thighs doesn’t really take away from my overall sexiness. It made me feel that I don’t need to worry so much about how my body looks- it’s looking fine. Now my goal is to embrace and enjoy what I have. The photo above and some in the gallery below were taken by Teri. It was a webcam session because of COVID. 

So often I hear clients say “every woman should experience boudoir at least once in their lifetime.” Or they tell me how much it helped them have a better body image and more self-acceptance. My favorite is when a partner reaches out thanking me because now she can see what they see. We often view ourselves in unflattering ways and under a lot of scrutiny and comparison. To have images of yourself that you love is a really wonderful gift. It can soften self-judgments and help you feel more love for your body. My wish is for everyone to feel more comfortable in their own skin and to accept themselves as they are. But there are many fears and concerns about actually doing a boudoir session. I have had them and I hear them from every client. Having a boudoir session is most likely out of your comfort zone and you likely have one or more of the common fears, so let’s talk about them!

“I struggle with body image, I am not pretty or fit enough to do a session, I have too many flaws.” 

I hear you, the struggle is real. Most of us focus on our flaws and can be hyper self-critical and see ourselves as not enough. One way past this feeling is going through it. Coming out the other side and gaining new perspectives. A boudoir session can help you accept your body as is, “flaws” and all. Because when you see the photos of yourself you will see that you are beautiful. It’s a perspective shift. 

To me, “flaws” are not flaws. We are all unique, and beauty is so diverse and deep!!! There is no such thing as too heavy, too thin, too pale, too dark, too dimply, too hairy, too many stretch marks, etc.

“I don’t know how to pose properly.” 

Such a common feeling, but as a professional boudoir photographer, I do my research and have a heck of a lot of practice. You do not need to know how to pose, it’s my job to pose you! I’ll direct you through the whole process. I’ll demonstrate the poses for you and will likely be goofy. My goal is always to have a good time and have the session feel light and comfortable. Most of us just don’t want to look dumb or awkward in a photo- I get it!! I only want photos that feel real and look good, we have the same goal. You might come into the session feeling shy, but with each minute you’ll become more and more comfortable.

“Will my photos be kept private?”

After your session, I'll upload your photos onto a private site with a password. You and I will be the only people who have access to this site unless you choose to share it. You can choose to buy photos and keep them digitally, or you can purchase discreet gifts for yourself or your partner. I totally understand wanting to keep your boudoir secret from your kids and future employers. I will never ever ever use your photos on my website or on social media without your permission.

“I’m not comfortable being naked.”

You don’t have to be naked if you don’t want to! Naked photos are totally sexy and artistic but not pushed or necessary. 

“I’m afraid I won’t like the photos of myself.”

Totally valid, and this is the most common fear. So far everyone I’ve photographed has liked their photos, so I have a pretty great track record (high five to myself). I’ll show you a few photos during the session and check in about how you’re doing. I’ll work to get the perfect poses and expressions to highlight how beautiful you are. 

“I don’t have anything sexy to wear.”

Then don’t wear anything at all- just kidding.  But I got you.

I’ll send you a guide before your shoot with tips and suggestions for what to wear and how to prepare. Really, I want you to wear anything that makes you feel sexy. It’s not about what I or others think is sexy. Most often womyn wear 1 or 2 sets of lingerie. You can wear just undies and be topless. Some people wear a large sweater or a t-shirt. Accessories like shoes and jewelry can be fun, but also not required! If you’re comfortable being naked that’s great, if not NBD (as mentioned above!).

I also asked in Foxy, my Facebook group, about what has helped women calm their fears when they’ve had boudoir taken. Here are some suggestions:

  • Bring a friend or partner/spouse to pump you up. One woman brought her husband and said “he thought it was hot and it made me feel better”.

  • Work with a photographer you already know or one a friend has worked with before. Having that common connection can go a long way towards increasing your comfort level.

  • Use a professional photographer, not a random friend. Pros have the equipment, knowledge, and experience to take photos you’ll want to have around for years. Most friends do not, and it can be uncomfortable if you don’t end up liking the photos.

  • Have a bit of alcohol. Obviously, this isn’t for everyone, but I ask clients if they would like a beer, shot, or glass of wine during boudoir sessions. This helps a lot of women to relax, unwind, and explore. Non-drinking/sober friends, I will always bring a yummy beverage for you too!

Boudoir allows you to see how beautiful, sensual, and just plain awesome you are. I want my clients to fall more in love with themselves after they see their photos. 

Reach out to me if you have any Qs or want to talk more about your fears- I am here to listen, validate, and help you any way I can! 

xoxo, Maureen

Maureen Cassidy
Playful Muse: Outdoor Boudoir in Madison
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This is Jenn. When I met her all I could think was “this woman knows how to live”. Just read her responses and I think you’ll agree- she is fabulous. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and she just oozes joy and honesty. We took these pics at Governors Island last month and she said “I kinda want to climb a tree in a tutu”. All I could say was “YES, Fuck YES”! We giggled together sooooo much that I instantly smile when I look at these images.

It stands out when you meet a woman who is so comfortable with themselves, and it is also truly frickin refreshing. Thank you Jenn for taking the time to share your sexy badass self with us.

What interested you about having a boudoir shoot? 

I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few years unfairly comparing my aging body to my younger self and comparing myself to others. As an act of self love I booked a session. It took me a long time and a lot of healing to get here, and I sure am glad I had the courage to do it. I was tired of waiting until <fill in the blank with whatever ridiculous unrealistic expectation I have of myself>. Right now is the time to fall in love with myself.

 How does your favorite photo from your session make you feel?

My favorite color is rainbow and my favorite picture is ALL of them, especially together. I see the story unfolding, the comfort deepening. I keep looking at the photos and loving them. I see the beauty in how Maureen captured the life force within me. I am excited when I realize it is me, that’s me, my body is making the picture so beautiful. I feel bold, beautiful, sexy and adventurous.

What would you say to a woman who doesn't think she is beautiful enough to be photographed?

Loving yourself is an act of liberation, don’t waste one more second thinking you are not enough. Stand up to that hog wash. When we can truly love ourselves, that energy is felt everywhere. It is strong enough to make flowers grow and heal the world.

 What are your reflections on “beauty” in our culture?

I was remembering I also hated my body/myself when I was young and weighed 100 lbs soaking wet. I have literally spent decades upon decades hating my body. Thinking beauty lived elsewhere. I believed all the ads, movies, etc that said I needed to do better, be better. No matter what I looked like I was not satisfied. It’s a journey to love ourselves. I am excited that our culture is shifting. I’m excited for people like Maureen who really embrace and celebrate bodies. I want to be part of that culture. I am part of the shift.

What are your hopes for the next generation of women? What advice would you give to them?

Love yourself and love each other. Stop the comparison, start accepting what is in front of us. Love it just as it is. I want the next generation to show that beauty belongs to all of us no matter the shape of your body, the color of your skin, the wrinkles on your face, who you love, or if you have long toes or hairy arms. Love it, just love it. This is how we can deeply love each other, by first deeply loving ourselves. Don’t shy away from pleasure, you need to explore more pleasure. Whatever brings you pleasure, do more of that. Even skip work to have pleasure! 

What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could meet her now?

My 16 year old self was pretty brave and badass, and she danced to her own beat. I would tell her to keep dancing and don’t let all the external negative hub bub take residence and live inside of you. Find people who love all the delicious, beautiful and even the dark parts of who you are. AND Don’t ever let anyone tell you who you are or who you are not. Be yourself.

Oh and sex is super pleasurable, you are gonna love it.

What do you love most about being a woman?

Oh. My. God. I love my boobs, like seriously boobs are awesome.

I also absolutely love the fact that we can grow little people inside of us if we want. It’s amazing to think about what our bodies can do and create.

Maureen Cassidy
“ I feel awakened”: Outdoor Boudoir with Sharlene
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Meet Sharlene. Sharlene is beautiful and kind and strong and generous. We had a fabulous outdoor boudoir session this fall in Madison, Wisconsin.

As Sharlene highlights in her answers below, she feels like black skin is undervalued in our culture. I’m white so I don’t know what it feels like but I sure can see what she is talking about. With all the police shootings, how few black women and men are in the media, how skinny white girls still seem to be the standard in beauty magazines. It’s pretty clear to me- black skin is cruelly, needlessly, and systemically undervalued. The impact cannot be understated. Every woman I’ve met has some issues with her body. Now add in systematic racism with unrealistic beauty standards and we get a lot of fuckery to deal with. I can’t pretend to understand how hard it must be to walk through this world as a black woman- to stay strong and confident when our culture is so toxic and dangerous to black bodies. But I can recognize these problems and say, loud and clear- HOLY SHIT BLACK SKIN IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! Look at these photos - everyone can see that! Black women's beauty and grace are inspiring and their voices need to be heard and their beautiful bodies represented and celebrated. Thank you to Sharlene for adding your beauty to the world and for letting me share it here.

What interested you in boudoir? 

One day I stumbled upon a friend’s boudoir photos that she posted on Facebook. I was shocked! Not shocked that she had boudoir photos taken, but shocked that she had the courage and bravery to show her body like that. I was envious of her beauty and the way she looked. As I learned more about the photos, I also found out about Maureen’s photography. I called her up one day and booked a session. After I did, I freaked out! I was thinking: how can I get in shape as quickly as possible? Wondering if I was pretty enough to be on camera and to be seen by others. I was raised in a culture where black-skinned was less beautiful- you had to be light-skinned to be considered beautiful. 

How does your favorite photo from your session make you feel?

I feel awakened, like- is this really me? Is that the way I’m viewed by others (beautiful, strong and black)?! I look at the photos and tell myself that I am who I am. It make me stronger and more confident as the days go by.

What would you say to a woman who doesn't think she is beautiful enough to be photographed?

I would say to them that “you are beautiful just the way you are”. I would tell them to consider a boudoir photo shoot and look at themselves underneath all these man-made clothes. Take a deep breath and accept yourself and love yourself for who you are.

What are your reflections on “beauty” in our culture?

Black women in general are brainwashed that people are not beautiful unless they are white with long straight hair. That we are not beautiful if our noses are not straight or if our butts are too round and big, or our breasts are too large or sagging, too many stretch marks or we are too tall or too short. Women in my culture do not have a fighting chance to love themselves if we cannot change this! That is why I really wanted my photo taken and to be shared.

What are your hopes for the next generation of women? What advice would you give to them?

I am hoping that we as women can acknowledge our beauty and power as women, so we are able to pass that strength on to the next generation of women. It all starts with the way see ourselves and not how our brains were molded by others.

What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could meet her now?

I would tell myself: you are a strong beautiful black young lady and you don’t need to straighten your hair with chemicals or use fading cream on your skin to be seen as a beautiful person. You are beautiful just they way you are! 

What do you love most about being a woman?

I love being a woman because we are strong human beings! We are mentally and physically capable of handling tough situations and then walking away unbroken. We can use this strength to change things for our society, for our kids, and to inspire others. For those of us who are or will become mothers, we have so much power in that role too. We’re able to raise strong young children when we let go of all the “shoulds” that have been thrown at us about how women should look and act. We carry ourselves through the world in a strong way and it makes the next woman all the stronger, it is contagious and beautiful. 

Maureen Cassidy
Inspiring Boudoir Takeaways at 40: "It's my favorite picture of myself ever"
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I am floored. Absolutely and utterly floored by this gorgeous woman’s insights. She is my friend and I’m always grateful and extra happy when I’m able to shoot a boudoir session for someone I know. We had so much FUN together and she rocked the shoot. I mean ROCKED it. I can’t get over how much I love photographing boudoir.

I love asking questions, and I am so appreciative of her taking the time to answer these Qs so thoughtfully. I love how much there is to learn about people, how much I learned about her- how complex and interesting we all really are.

If you have a few minutes grab a tissue and read her answers to the questions below. Her responses made me feel a combo of pride, rage, sadness, and hope that only comes with a person who has a serious way with words. I’m so grateful for her company, wisdom, and insight!

What motivated you to sign-up for a boudoir shoot? 

I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while, but I definitely felt an urgency last year when I was heading toward 40. Specifically, I had been looking at pictures of myself in my 20s and felt really sad for the woman in those pictures.  I had been so beautiful but had such cripplingly low self-esteem that not one ounce of me could feel happy about my looks. I really didn’t want to have the same feeling 10 years from now.

So I thought - I feel so comfortable in my skin - I should capture this moment. The end of 2019 was a big one of transition and growth for me and I wanted to do something to mark it. 

I knew I would feel much more comfortable with a friend like Maureen and I wanted to surprise my boyfriend (who, along with me, likes how I look at 40 :))

How does your favorite photo from your session make you feel?

There is a photo that Maureen took where I’m staring at the camera and it’s from the nude section.  I don’t know what to say except that it’s my favorite picture of myself ever.  

I explained it this way to some friends:  you know that feeling you have when you’re out and your outfit is working and your makeup is great and your friends are with you and you just feel really confident and happy?  And you know how hard it is to capture that look in a picture? This picture captures it. It makes me feel strong, resilient and myself.  

I rarely see a photo and think it looks like me - but this one not only looks like me, it feels like me.

What would you say to a woman who doesn't think she is beautiful enough to be photographed?

I hope no one thinks that there are set guidelines on how to feel good about yourself. It helps a lot to be older and more comfortable with yourself - I work really hard to fight those negative thoughts now, even though they plagued me for years.

I would say that the pics are more about confidence and being sexy - and that has nothing to do with traditional standards of beauty.  Also - Maureen will make you feel really at ease and you’ll be able to see that in the pics.

 This is a present to yourself, a great way to see yourself through a less judgmental lens. A boudoir photo session isn’t about titillating random dudes (i.e. who decides beauty in our society) - it’s a celebration of you at this time in your life.  

What are your reflections on “beauty” in our culture? 

I hope this is somewhat better now for young girls, but I think as I was growing up I wasn’t aware of how much I was internalizing the feeling that my looks were of utmost priority.  My mom passed away when I was 14 and I always felt like I missed out on someone giving me the tips and tricks on how to “make myself beautiful”! I remember being so completely frustrated by my bad skin and giant curly hair and pale pale coloring when I was in high school.  There were years I didn’t show my legs in public because of this sense that I didn’t look “right.”  

Then I developed into a conventionally attractive person in my 20s and I was still viewing myself through a male lens.  I always ensured that I put forth an image that would be attractive and sexy to men. I thought the more men approved of my looks, the less likely I would be put in a place where I would be rejected.  Of course, the sad thing is, my marriage ended in just that sort of rejection. It felt like a confirmation of all my fears - but in the end, was so important to teach me how little looks matter. I now think it's really sad that my ex-husband couldn’t see all of my beauty in every sense of the word.  

In general - who doesn’t love beauty?  I absolutely love style and the perfect haircut and aesthetically pleasing men, women, nature, art scenes, houses, and cats perched ever so perfectly on window sills.  My son is 6 years old and I know nothing more beautiful than his laugh. The most beautiful people I’ve ever seen are those whose outsides match their insides - experience and growth and kindness are so enthralling when they’re looking back at you.  

But we define that.  I define that.  

That’s a long way of saying - “fuck em.”

What are your hopes for the next generation of women? What advice would you give to them?

I hope there will be a day when women don’t grow up with internal misogyny.  I hope a younger generation of women doesn’t need to be convinced that a woman could not only win the presidency, but also be really really good at it.  I hope that all forms of beauty are accepted and that most of all, they focus on being their best selves - not the best image of what a woman should be.

My biggest piece of advice is to slow down and relax.  I was in a really big hurry to grow up and get my life sorted out because I had felt so ungrounded in my teen years.  No one put pressure on me but myself - and I woke up at 38 exhausted, physically ill and burnt out. Also - life isn’t about being happy - negative experiences are natural and healthy - it’s about how you move within these moments that really matter.

Being young is about growing but you never feel that way in the moment.  My dad is 72 years old and he’s still growing and changing - that never ends.

It’s hard to convey to young women that what they believe to be 100% true right now will most likely change with the benefit of a few years and perspective.  But I do wish someone had been there to tell me all of this twenty years ago.

 What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could meet her now? 

The above, and: “What you think is being ‘weird’ or ‘ugly’ or ‘awkward’ is actually you just being a lonely teenager without a mom who hasn’t yet met your people. The funny, weird person in high school tends to become the person always invited to parties in adulthood.  Also - life’s problems are not solved by romantic love so don’t spend the next two decades looking for that.” 

One last thing: “fuck em.”

What do you love most about being a woman?

I love that as women it is accepted and normal for us to be expressive with our friends and show love and emotion.  I feel very sorry for men that they implicitly cannot bond in this manner - because they’re missing out. There are all types of human connections out there and it’s important to savor them all.

I want to raise my son to move past those limitations and continue to be a sweet, sensitive boy for the rest of his life.

Maureen Cassidy
News from the Fox(y)hole: Recent Badass Classes and Chimera Self-Defense Workshop

Hey everyone! The Badass Class in February on Self Love, the Badass Class on the Pelvic Floor for March, and the Chimera Self-Defense workshop for middle-school girls were all SO GOOD.

First I want to talk about the Badass Classes (scroll way down for more on the Self Defense Workshop)! The women in our community are wonderful storytellers and educators- and it surprises me to no end just how generous they are with their time and knowledge.


Badass Class: Self Love

This class featured five women sharing their journeys, both past and present, towards self-love. The recurring themes for the night that I picked up on were:

  • Adversity, trauma, and pain are ever-present in all of our stories- the scale of those is variable, but we should never discount the stories we all have to share.

  • Sharing is healing to yourself and others. Brene Brown says “If you don’t own your story, your story will own you”.

  • Learning to face challenges with grace & acceptance takes practice, but can bring a whole lot of wisdom.

  • Self-Love is ongoing, shifting and developing- it is not a linear process nor a finite endpoint.

  • Forgiveness is key for self-love to flourish: of yourself and others.

  • Learning how to stop negative self talk is obtainable and encouraged goal to set!

  • Our community is strong and fierce and willing to put the time in to make progress towards self-love and acceptance.

This night would have been nothing but for the willingness of these five women to share personal stories of their lives and answer questions from the audience. I was floored by how articulate ALL five women were- and by how little of someone’s experience we really know if we don’t give them the time and space to share it. Each speaker talked for 18 minutes (a random amount of time, I know) and could have easily shared for much longer. We’ll have to have more events like- we all have so much to learn from each other! I know I cried a fair amount, listening to the power of their stories, and I know I was far from the only one to connect emotionally to their stories.

Check out the work of the five badass speakers, they are all so talented!:


The Badass Class: Pelvic Floor

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Seen here are my friends being a uterus and a bladder during the Pelvic Floor workshop. Jessica was walking us through pelvic floor anatomy. I got to be the rectum (highlight of my day!), but I had to stop being a butt so I could take this pic.

This workshop was this past weekend and was so educational and fun! Jessica Dufault, a physical therapist from Mindful Motion, taught the class and answered lots of questions (some of them very personal!). She is a very talented and empathetic presenter, and I’m so grateful she came to Foxy to share! There was A LOT of laughter and also a lot of “Aha” moments. I taught prenatal yoga for years and always emphasized Kegels. Turns out there is WAY more to this topic (and Kegels might not actually be that useful, especially since many women do them incorrectly!). In this workshop, we really just learned about the tip of the iceberg (or really the tip of the pelvic floor I suppose), and I really want to host a second class on this topic soon. Here are my takeaways from the workshop:

  • Our bodies are hella complex

  • Peezing (sneeze peeing) is not normal even though soooo many of us experience this after childbirth. PT can really help take care of this and other pelvic floor symptoms

  • Sucking in our bellies is messing with us…big time! Our diaphragm needs the full space to expand and recoil. So when we are engaging our belly muscles and pelvic floor muscles it doesn’t allow the breath to be as full and that just messes with us.

  • There are so many symptoms that can be alleviated by strengthening our pelvic floor- including jaw pain!

  • There are a lot of descriptors related to the pelvic floor that really should be punk or metal band names: East of the Anus, Plugging Three Holes…there were a few more that I can’t remember right now, but of course they were all related to the butt and vulva (if you went to the class and you do remember please message me and I’ll add it here!).

  • It’s never ever too late to educate yourself and strengthen your pelvic floor!


Chimera Self-Defense Workshop for Middle-School Girls

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Our Chimera instructor showing the girls how to be assertive

and STRONG.

Finally a shout-out to the PHENOMENAL women at Rape Crisis Center for leading a Chimera self-defense class for middle-school girls. I think this was actually my favorite thing that has happened at Foxy so far!

All the girls learned a lot, and we had a lot of fun too. We spent much of the time learning how to deescalate situations before they become physical. We were taught how to avoid being meek, making excuses, and apologizing. We practiced shouting NO! over and over, just to hear our voices and practiced actually spreading out to take up our share of physical space. This was SO empowering and uplifting. The goal is to be assertive without being aggressive when possible. It’s a fine line, but an important one. We acted out a lot of scenarios over and over- both the teachers showing and then the girls practicing together, like:

  • what happens when a kid keeps touching you

  • what do you if someone asks you to dance and you don’t want to

  • if someone grabs your butt

  • if someone follows you

  • if someone talks to you at a bus stop and you don’t want to engage

  • if someone tries to kidnap you (this one was both empowering and hilarious- all the girls tried together to force the instructor into the back of her car and weren’t able to do it- she was a tiny woman and showed how hard it can be to move someone if they are putting up a lot of resistance).

Even though this workshop was specifically for middle-school girls I learned a TON. The Rape Crisis Center runs a 12 hour course for anyone over age 12 and I am definitely going to take that with my teenage daughter. And soon Foxy is going to offer a 3-hour self-defense workshop for women. But in the meantime I’m so glad that the girls got this information. It’s so important for them to know how to stand up for themselves. Girls and woman are often taught to be polite and this is why it’s important to practice these skills- we’re not responsible for other people’s feelings. We can de-escalate and get power back is dicey situations. Some of the big tips for the workshop:

  • Maintain steady eye contact, confidence

  • Tall strong posturing

  • Make yourself seen, don’t hide in the shadows

  • Confront people if they make you uncomfortable

  • Use powerful statements, not questions- “I need you to take a step back” not “Could you take a step back?”

  • We don’t need to apologize for making our needs clear

  • Asking them questions turns the power dynamic around

Ok, that was a lot to take in. Thanks for taking the time to read through. We have other events coming up soon! The Badass Class: Anti-racism workshop will be on April 19 and registration is open! As always, let me know if you have any Qs, or just want to say “hey”.

xoxo, Maureen

Maureen Cassidy