Meet Joanne: The Key Factor in Self-Defense for Women

I have been a key factor in empowering women for the past 13 years.  My passion is about helping women feel safe, comfortable and strong in the 21st century.

I developed my teaching while training at the Feminist Karate Union.  I began by assisting my teachers with community self-defense classes, then over time developed a program at the University of Washington's Women's Center.  From there, I expanded teaching self-defense through the ASUW Experimental College, Discover U, South Seattle Community College, Downtown YMCA, and North Seattle Community College.

Students and class organizers praise my unique ability to work with people "where they are, in their own lives, in their own space," as well as the balance in class between physical, verbal and mindset skills.  

Commitment and Experience

Since 1994, I have taught self-defense to women from six to senior, from sorority sisters to grandmothers and business executives, homeless women and those in transitional housing, and just about everyone in between.  I teach at UW's Women's Center and UW's Experimental College. I'm a popular instructor with Safeco's Neighborhood Academy and regularly holds classes for Discover U, a continuing education program in Seattle. I have held classes for university women in dorms and sororities, YMCA and YWCA groups, Angeline's Center, Opportunity Place, and more.

My commitment to women's self-defense has led me to participate in many professional organizations. I hold a black belt in traditional Japanese karate and Okinawan weapons.  I serve on Boards of Directors of both the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation (Director-at-Large for the Self-Defense Group) and the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (Vice President). I belong to the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors, American Women’s Self-Defense Association and the Amateur Athletic Union. Professional memberships also include Women Business Owners, NSA-NW (Affiliate), and the Greater Seattle Business Association.


My unique combination of strength and sensitivity has brought many invitations to teach in special needs programs. From 2000-2002, I taught a karate class for Deaf children. I've worked with Deaf-Blind adults through Lighthouse for the Blind.  Since 2003, I have been an instructor with the Veterans Administration Medical Center's Taking Charge program, helping women veterans deal with post-traumatic stress disorder following service-related sexual assault. And each summer I direct a one-week karate day camp for children of ages 6-15. 

In October 2003, I founded Strategic Living, so I can continue to empower women through classes, speaking engagements and one-to-one consulting.  I continue to develop my skills through advanced martial arts and self-defense seminars sponsored by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists, the National Women's Martial Arts Federation, and the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors.

About Joanne

I hold a BA degree (cum laude) from Cornell University, where I majored in cultural anthropology and mathematics. I believe my studies helped me develop systematic ways to analyze environments and belief systems around safety.

For fun, I love to cook because I love to eat. I peruse cookbooks for ideas, then unleash the alchemy of food and fire on friends at the dinner table. I find it hard to resist the temptations of chocolate, coffee and wine.  My partner Kim and I grow our own herbs and salad fixings. We share our comfortable Seattle home with a small family of furry felines.

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