Collection consists of materials documenting Kathy Hopwood's work in the areas of women's martial arts and self-defense in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Materials from her SafeSkills Dojo comprise self-defense training manuals, course and workshop materials, newsletters, organizational history, some correspondence, and the individual work of both Hopwood and her partner Beth Seigler. Press clippings document mentions of Hopwood, Seigler, and their dojo in print media, largely from Triangle-area publications. Materials from the National Women's Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF) provide documentation of that organization's history, particularly its early years. Hopwood and Seigler were both very active in the organization, and Hopwood served as its archivist for a 10-year period. There is also extensive documentation of NWMAF's yearly training camps for women and girls. Materials from other women's martial arts groups across the country are well-documented, as are materials on sexual assault and rape prevention, particularly from the Triangle area. Also included are books and periodicals on the topic of women's martial arts and self-defense. Photographs document the dojo's work, as well as national training sessions conducted by Hopwood and Seigler. Other audio-visual material consists of training films and examples of the dojo's instructors at work.
Kathy Hopwood, working with her partner Beth Seigler, created martial arts and self-defense workshops and training courses for women in order to equip them to defend themselves against assault, rape, and other forms of attack. She also dedicated considerable work to the promotion of child safety, self-defense for older adults, and self-defense for individuals with disabilities. She oversaw the opening of her own dojo in Durham, North Carolina, which was active from 1982-2015. The organization's name changed over time: it was founded in 1982 as the Triangle Women's Karate Association. When Beth Seigler partnered with Hopwood, its name changed to Triangle Women's Martial Arts, located at 715 Mangum Street in Durham, and then finally to SafeSkills Dojo in 1992 when they relocated to 3710 Shannon Road. In 2008, they related to their final space at 3702 Hillsborough Road in Durham.
