So I’m sat here searching for inspiration, what can I write? When I came across this fantastic woman who until recently had been lost in the darkest pages of the history books.
Meet
Edith Garrud!
She was one
of the first female professional martial artists in the UK who used her skills
to train the bodyguard unit of the Women’s Social and Political Unit (Suffragettes)
in the ancient art of Jiu-Jitsu.
Edith and
her husband who specialised in gymnastics, boxing and wrestling were introduced
to Jiu-Jitsu by Edward William Barton-Wright, the first teacher in Europe.
Later they became students of Sadakazu Uyenishi, the stylish and exotic
Japanese instructor who ran a Martial Arts school in Soho. On his return to Japan in 1908, the Garrud’s
took over the running of the school and Edith began running classes for the
women and children of the infamous suffragette movement.
In 1913,
the government introduced the ‘Cat and Mouse’ Act. This allowed the government to release
suffragettes who had been on hunger strike in prison. Once their health had improved they could
then be rearrested to serve the remaining sentence.
The
Movement responded by recruiting a 30 member, all women protection unit known
as ‘The Bodyguard’ or ‘Jiujitsuffragettes’ to protect the leaders from
rearrest. Edith became the head trainer
teaching them Jiu-Jitsu and the use of indian clubs in secret locations to
avoid the police.
The
Jiujitsuffragettes fought a number of well publicised hand-to-hand combat
situations with police officers and staged several successful escapes and
rescues using disguise and decoy tactics.
They disbanded shortly after the beginning of World War I
Edith and
husband continued to teach Jiu-Jitsu and self defence until 1925 when they left
public life. She later died in 1971 at
the grand old age of 99.
So hats off
to this inspirational figure who shows us that even in the 19th
Century women could fight back.
Don’t
forget our fantastic new eBook ‘Fighting Back’ is almost ready for release. Find out about my own struggle from Victim to
Survivor and learn the simple techniques that could save you from
becoming a
victim.
Don't delay, Edith Garrud didn't!
Reserve Your Copy Today!