Launched on December 12, 2020 by founder SALLY JOHNSON VAN WRIGHT, The Leopard School of Martial Arts grew out of Valley Women’s Martial Arts, a nonprofit organization founded in 1977 by WENDI DRAGONFIRE and based on the teachings of ROBERT A. TRIAS and REMY AMADOR PRESAS. Dozens of womenx at VWMA attained advanced skill through brown and black belt over the decades, thanks to the steadfast dedication and focused skill of a collective teaching team and many extraordinary leaders. We also carry rich gifts from countless teachers and classes of the NATIONAL WOMEN’S MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION. The first POWER GIRLS class was taught by Sally Van Wright & Lisa Chambers in 1996, cultivating many of the concepts and strategies still reflected in the soul of The Leopard School to this day. Although there is no longer any affiliation with VWMA, which now operates under the name Heron’s Bridge, many former VWMA members supported the launch of The Leopard School and stay active in many ways. We appreciate our roots and wish all beings well.

In late 2020, The Leopard School of Martial Arts came to life, founded on core principles of directness and transparency. The Leopard School credits SENSEI WENDI DRAGONFIRE, DEB FRIEDMAN, NANCY ROTHENBERG, REGINA KAUFMAN, TERA FRIEDMAN, ANN VANDERBURGH, ANDREA FOX, DORIAN GREGORY, PAMELA WESTGATE, ERINN ERVIN, MEG BROWN, JOSH & CAL KNOX, CYNTHIA BLEIL, EFFROSYNI KOKALIARI, JAMES ARANA, MORGAN KENT, JASON ROSE-LANGSTON, and CJ VAN WRIGHT for the support that has brought us into our 4th year of fun, sweat, and skill.

We aim to embody the infinite flowing motion of Remy Amador Presas and the strength and precision of Robert A. Trias, who brought Modern Arnis and Shuri Ryu Karate, respectively, to the U.S. and beyond. Influential instructors include Linda “Ramzy” Ranson, Brian Zawilinski, Gabrielle Roloff, Wasentha Young, Sandie Benevides, Dorian Gregory, Zosia Gorbaty, Kore Grate, and Yudit Sidikman. Other feminist martial artists and Empowerment Self Defense leaders, too numerous to count, have enriched our school immeasurably. We thank the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation and the Association of ESD Professionals and encourage all interested to connect with those two great organizations.

In honoring our heritage, we bear witness to the losses which stretch our hearts to near break-point. Thus, we lift up Janice Leigh Wood, Shoshana (formerly Mary Ann) Williams, Liz Tiley, Bat-Ami Bar On, Hedy Perry, Dottie Ann Barton Boatwright, Mark Mitchell, and all those living beyond life-threatening health diagnoses (which includes some of us actively training). May reflecting on crisis, death, and loss turn us towards discovering what joy can be discovered each day in life. The Leopard School’s commitment to rigorous and joyful martial arts training and empowerment for womenx and girls continues to thrive and evolve…learn from tradition; excel, go beyond.