The Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings inspired and affected many people in many different ways. For Janet Tanury, owner of the women’s clothing store Botticelli (1375 Mineral Spring Ave., Providence), it inspired the idea to host a self-defense workshop in her store to benefit her customers from around the state, as well as any other woman who wishes to take part. In doing so, she turned to her friend and colleague, Gigi Gravel, who is a women’s empowerment coach.
“Gigi and I are a part of the Polka Dot Power House group, a group for women inspiring women, personally and professionally,” said Tanury. “The Rhode Island chapter began in January 2018, and it is a different kind of networking group that supports women in 360 degrees. Our mission is to support women in all facets of their lives so that we can grow stronger together.”
As the social coordinator for the chapter, Tanury considered all of the news of sexual assault around the Kavanaugh hearings as well as the #metoo movement.
“I thought that it would be wise to give women the tools to be safer and more aware of their surroundings. Botticelli is all about self-empowerment, and so is Gigi. It seemed like a natural collaboration. Gigi has lots of experience teaching to women how to help avoid being a victim or easy prey.”
Gravel agreed that it was a good fit as well.
“I became a Women’s Empowerment Coach because I believe that even though women come from different backgrounds and circumstances we all want to have a strong mind and healthy body, feel good about ourselves, and enjoy a great quality of life,” said Gravel. “Through my newly-created Women’s Empowerment Academy, I help women get fit, get healthy, and get empowered, by providing a variety of coaching programs, personal fitness training, self-defense workshops, kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do classes to help women develop unshakable confidence and get empowered to take charge of their health, wellness, and personal safety.”
Gravel feels a personal responsibility to share what she has learned with other women.
“After earning my second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do in January, I now feel it is my responsibility to share my knowledge and skills to help women protect themselves and their loved ones,” Gravel said. “This combined with all the recent exposure of violence against women has compelled me to create personal safety and self-defense workshops to give women the safety strategies and self-defense techniques to decrease their chances of becoming another victim of violence or sexual assault.”
In six months’ time, Gravel’s services have been in demand.
“I have taught about 15 classes over the last six months, and have empowered more than 90 women to become their own bodyguard,” she said. “I was excited to collaborate with Janet Tanury of Botticelli because although we each pursue our mission from a different angle, we both have a passion for empowering women. It was a perfect match.
I not only want to bring awareness to the importance of taking charge of our own personal safety, through my workshops but also bust the myths that women may have around self-defense and martial arts. Many who would love to participate shy away because of their preconceived notions that they have to be young, strong, or athletic. All of these are untrue! When I started I was 51 years old, very overweight, and certainly not athletic. I let all of these perceived limitations go and just brought my desire to learn.”
Gravel shared that since that time, she has developed unshakable confidence, dramatically improved her health, and all areas of her life have changed for the better.
“I now use my experiences to help clients and students believe in themselves and their abilities so they can live into their true potential and achieve things they once thought impossible.” The workshop will be held at Botticelli on Sunday, November 4 at noon. To register visit bit.ly/2RLc4oR. Spaces are limited.
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