183: Sass Go - Shannon Henry

Shannon Henry, sexual assault survivor and founder of SASS GO, joins The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast this week to share her inspiring story and to talk about the incredible work SASS GO is doing to empower and protect women and girls.  Shannon is a wife, a mother, and a fearless leader - who has been described as a velvet brick with a Band-Aid in one hand and sword in the other.  She is a purposed leader who believes in uncovering the power, dignity and beauty of all women by meeting them exactly where they are with compassion and love. Shannon teaches SASS courses at the University of South Carolina as an adjunct professor in the College of Education and around the world.  When Shannon was 16 years old, she was sexually assaulted. Shannon didn’t tell anyone about what happened to her for years. Shannon learned the SASS curriculum and it was a life-changer for her - and at that moment, she pledged that she would devote her life to sharing the power of SASS and empower others through it. Shortly thereafter, she created SASS Defense and embarked on a journey to empower as many women and girls as possible through SASS.  Under her leadership, Shannon and a team of instructors have positively impacted the lives of thousands of women and girls in universities, the military, churches, schools, community centers, and law enforcement.  Despite this incredible progress, Shannon and her team recognized a gap between ongoing global need and their reach.  They understood that without resources, it would be nearly impossible to fill this gap.  Thus with guidance from a mentor, her husband and thoughtful consideration and prayer, Shannon moved forward with taking the heart and soul of SASS and placing it inside the organizational framework of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to catapult the impact SASS was having on thousands into millions, regardless of ability to pay, life circumstances, or geographical location.  She elected to name the propeller SASS GO as it takes the power and purpose of SASS GO to the need, which is everywhere.   SASS GO is on a mission to eradicate assault, abuse, and trafficking against women and girls globally through prevention education, self defense training, and emergent case consulting.  This dedicated team believes all women deserve to learn the skills needed to save their own lives.  The women and girls we serve are as diverse in age, background, and experience as the world they inhabit with nearly 60% receiving our services for a free or reduced cost.   Shannon joins The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast to share her inspiring life story and to talk about the incredible, world-changing work of SASS GO.  In this episode, you’ll hear:  Shannon’s inspiring life story; Her survivor story and how self-defense classes and the SASS curriculum changed her life; How she decided to dedicate her life to empowering other women and girls through self-defense and the SASS curriculum; How SASS GO came to be and about their incredible work to save lives and empower women and girls; Stories of survivors and how women and girls have been empowered through SASS GO; And so much more! The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.  For more information about Shannon, SASS GO, to donate, and/or to get involved in their work, please visit: }https://1girlrevolution.com/shannonhenry