First WCD Women Black Sashes

**wingchundo.girl** · 12-31-2009, 19:40

Although I know it should have been me, I am so proud of two women who are now the first and only women black sashes in our school's and for that matter, in the art of Wing Chun Do histories. What make these women special is the perseverance they both displayed to finally get their black sashes.

Excuse me while I gush.

Julie came to us when she was seventeen years old. Petite and very slight, I thought to myself, there is no way this little fluff of a girl is going to last. Never judge a book by its cover ladies and gentlemen! She was tenacious and realized that she loved the science of the martial art. Through college, graduate school, work and multiple misdiagnosed illnesses, she sometimes needed to stop her training for a while. She always came back. It took 11 years but she finally did it, she's 28 years old.

Donna was a mom of two children when she and her husband started. She had to take a break because life happens and she eventually became a mom of three, and back again for number four. She continued her training the best she could over the years. Donna was the primary breadwinner of her home as well. When her youngest was three she came back far more regularly. At first she came because it was something she could do with her husband. But WCD soon got into her blood too. During this time her brother was murdered. She sometimes needed to stop her training depending on the needs of her family. She always came back. It took her 11 years but she finally did it, she's 45 years old.

Throughout their ordeals, they encouraged each other to become sifu's first woman black sash. After a while a friendly competition started. There was no way that one was going to allow the other one to be first. So they worked hard to reach their goal and in the end, the timing was right for both of them.

These women went through a lot to get here. But that is not the reason they got their black sashes. Their techniques, skills, explosive energy and ability to take out men twice their size was awe inspiring.

Congratulations to these deserving women, sisters in WCD, who together became the first women to reach this level in WCD history.

We are very proud.

**jwinch2** · 12-31-2009, 19:50

Cool story. Thanks for sharing...

**Eliz** · 01-05-2010, 15:34

Thank you for sharing their story, Liz. A very inspiring story to all women in the Martial Arts. Best wishes for their continued success.

**jjaje** · 01-05-2010, 20:48

Cool story, thanks for sharing.

**X_plosion** · 01-05-2010, 21:35

Congrats.

**wingchundo.girl** · 01-07-2010, 12:58

Thank you for the congratulations. The women were among seven that tested that day, my son being one of them, so it was a very special day in many ways.

The next time they came to class, one of the other black belts, just before we were to bow in yelled, "Welcome to the front line!" It put a big smile on all their faces.