FORTITUDE ACADEMY - CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2021
International Women’s Day 2021 #ChooseToChallenge is an opportunity to empower the future generation of young women and girls, despite the challenges faced in this year’s pandemic.
Here at Fortitude Academy we offer martial arts classes, teaching Taekwon-Do to everybody, regardless of gender, following the traditions and teachings from Grand Masters and Masters. Our Founder Grand Master General Choi Hong Hi 9th Dan stated very clearly that:
“Taekwon-Do is for everyone.”
In 2021, we continue to pursue this vision, observing and honouring the changing dynamic around the world.
Fortitude Academy was established in 2000 after Master Hodson and Mrs Hodson fulfilled their ambitions to teach professionally and full time. Now, and importantly over a third of our student population are female, showing that martial arts are no longer completely male dominated. Suggesting, that through the visibility of International Women’s Day, an important switch has occurred, and females across the globe are feeling more and more empowered to join martial arts classes near to them, where they are not only included, they are rewarded, and celebrated. Recognising that every young woman and girl can fulfil their potential in the discipline of Taekwon-Do.
Over 50% of our instructors and assistant instructors are female, showing that the female voice is being heard within the world of martial arts and ultimately respected. The platform to teach continues to break down any barriers and build expectations for future young women and girls in martial arts. It is with great pride that we applaud our female instructors teaching weekly.
We continue to #ChooseToChallenge so that the next generation of martial artists represent the worlds population. Our students will be the next generation to narrow gender divides to become Master’s and Grand Master’s continuing to close the gender gap.
We are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions. We each #ChooseToChallenge, or to accept, the status quo. Together, we can choose to address gender bias.
The Taekwon-Do oath is for us to follow, it is a reminder at the beginning of each class of the responsible role we have in society:
I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do.
I shall respect my instructors and seniors.
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.
I shall build a more peaceful world.
International Women’s Day is a chance for people around the world to celebrate the achievements of women and empower the next generation to overcome existing barriers, some of which have been heightened by the pandemic. It is a growing movement to advocate for equal rights and for accelerating gender parity. Because of International Women’s Day for well over a century, the unity and power of women are going from strength to strength.
Here at Fortitude Academy we choose to challenge!
Taekwon
