Fearless Female expo empowers women
CRANBERRY TWP — It's not always easy to prepare for a physical attack. Every factor counts: location, time of day, the number of people involved.
But that doesn't mean basic survival tactics won't help. In fact, Fearless Female cofounder and spokeswoman Lisa Johnson said they might just make the difference in being a victim in the first place.
“People aren't prepared,” Johnson, a registered nurse, said. “We have to start thinking of this and get prepared.”
That's part of why Johnson and her brother, Dan, of Fearless Female, organized a women-and-teens safety expo Saturday in the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. They hope to make the event an annual one.
“We're really excited,” Johnson said. “I'm hoping that this is ... a bright spot for people.”
The expo featured a number of experts in many fields, including the Butler County Sheriff's Office, medical practitioners and self-defense experts.
Heather Metallo, manager of Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Cranberry Township, spent the day as Wonder Woman.
Metallo said she's done work through her church with Living in Liberty, a nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh that combats sex trafficking.When Johnson asked her to don the hallmark red, gold and blue outfit of the Amazonian princess Diana, Metallo said she was happy to help.“It's just empowering women,” Metallo said. “I think it's just wonderful ... to lift people up.”Originally, Fearless Female was focused on empowering the “everyday woman.”According to Johnson, the program has helped over 3,000 women in the last seven years in the areas of self-defense, medical care and personal awareness. Johnson said some of the women she's worked with have been as old as 80.Johnson said the program has recently began putting emphasis on empowering teens and children, as well. It's never too early to be prepared, according to Johnson. Especially when human trafficking seems to be on the rise.“There are so many different ways to empower people,” Johnson said. “Our mission is to broaden our reach.”Brandee Rentz attended the expo as a vendor, representing both Berkshire Hathaway and Sign Dreamers Cranberry.Rentz's 10-year-old daughter, Sofie, came to the Fearless Female event to help out.“I thought it was good community outreach,” Rentz said. “I want her to be able to go and do the things (she wants) and feel safe.”Sofie, who likes to play softball and volleyball, thinks girls should be able to handle themselves in different situations.“I feel like they should have their own answers,” Sofie said.Fearless Female is based on teamwork. By educating a portion of the population, Johnson hopes to institute a domino effect.Johnson said she understands personal safety can be a scary topic. That's why she encourages her students to teach their families, friends and colleagues the things they've learned.“Spread that education,” Johnson said. “There's power in numbers.”
