Sally Johnson Van Wright

Sally Johnson Van Wright thrives on pursuit of fun, sweat, and skill. She/they also meditates a lot and prioritizes health and wellness with her 3x-cancer-surviving self. Sally started training weekly+ in Shuri Ryu Karate, Modern Arnis, and Empowerment Self Defense in 1987 and has never stopped except for periodic treatment episodes. Sally Sensei / Gura joyfully runs a small school of fabulous & dedicated martial artists called The Leopard School of Martial Arts for womenx & girls/girlz. We train at our marvelous host school Spirit of the Heart in Easthampton, MA (it's the Western part of the state--think 2 hours over from Boston). She/they also values myriad connections from her former school of 33 years, Valley Women's Martial Arts. Now benefitting from wise counsel from her teacher and VWMA Founder Wendi Dragonfire as well as many Sage Advisors introduced through NWMAF, Sally is honored to wear her Karate (7th) and Arnis (4th) Black Belts and to learn from everyone she encounters. Sally attended every "ST" but 1 or 2 from 1989-2015 and misses many friends there, having deepened connections through service work as NWMAF Chair 2004-2007 & through the Anti Racism Council thereafter. More recently, Sally is honored to be part of the launch (Board Secretary) of the fledgling Association of ESD Professionals, ably led by Chair Michele Elefante. Ask me about AESD if you're curious why I think it's great.

Separately, Sally holds a doctorate in education (adult teaching & learning focus) and heads the Research Department for what is among the most forward-thinking county corrections agencies in the US. "Dr. Sal" also teaches MSW students at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. In a world on seemingly on fire and besieged by racist and misogynistic aggression, we must speak truth and act with integrity in all the strongest ways we can muster. Proactive solutions exist. Let's investigate them, strengthen them, & spread them.

p.s. all persons eligible for mammograms, please please consider getting them. Ditto for other screenings: early detection is key!