"In 1992, I was held hostage in my home for 5 1/2 hours at knifepoint and then stalked for 2 years
. . . before there were handgun permits or stalking laws. Being in fear for my life was the necessity that created
the techniques we teach today in our many SFWA custom courses-Susan Romanov, SFWA Founder
SFWA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the odds you will prevail in a self-defense situation
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SFWA is a non-profit organization which was formed to educate and motivate women [and the men they bring with them] toward increasing the odds of prevailing in a self-defense situation and the shooting sports. Our founder was held hostage in her home in 1992 at knife-point for 5 1/2 hours and then stalked for 2 years before there were handgun carry permits or stalking laws.
Notably, SFWA does offer all inclusive training memberships, both in person or online. All training techniques were designed from our Founder's civilian experience to help others empower themselves in the real world where seconds will count and your actions will determine the rest of your life. Susan has been described as a female version of the late Jeff Cooper . . . not interested in competition or personal recognition . . . but dedicated to developing techniques that work for civilian women and men.
Although Susan Romanov has accomplished many firsts in this industry, unless you were part of those students enjoying the benefits, you may have missed it.
Social media and news blasts are not what has made SFWA's Founder successful. As a matter of fact, actual advertising was not involved either. It was decades of know-how and word of mouth that resulted in the 100,000+ students by 2018 enjoying comprehensive training and empowerment in their journeys toward increasing the odds of prevailing in a fight for their life. All after Susan had to fight for her life in 1992.
SFWA Certified Instructors are privy to methods SFWA uses and we help you succeed in your area . . . really!
Women of a Different Caliber come in all shapes, sizes, walks of life and talents. This social media page was formed to showcase women in the shooting industry and other platforms for their accomplishments, bravery, love and dedication to what is happening in their lives in their hometowns and beyond. Please enjoy, share and/or submit a story of a Woman of a Different Caliber you may respect for her accomplishments or acts of uniqueness!
SFWA's founder has been respected in the industry professionally since 1997 from helping established and new industry-related businesses move to the next level in their training or retail establishments to training tens-of-thousands of women nationwide. Since the beginning, "Truth in Training®" has been at the heart of SFWA's mission. When your life is at stake, there is no room for mistaking civilian responsibilities and techniques for what happens in competition or law enforcement. Your freedom and your life depends on it.
When you are a professional, it has been the standard practice to never talk negatively about your competition but to focus on your own skills and accomplishments. We believe that practice is excellent when it comes to things that will not put a person's life in jeopardy. However, defense of yourself or a loved on with deadly force in a manner that is unsafe or that does not make good sense in a life and death situation should not be ignored. That is why we began "shootin' straight" a while back.
In 2000, when we received my first copy in the mail, we were hooked! It was better than any magazine ever for women in this industry! When SFWA shifted its resources to training curriculum and helping women better defend themselves in an attack, it made perfect sense. We have since enjoyed SFW's Special Editions, and their training techniques for civilians!
- Thousands of Magazine Subscribers and Students Agree!
In 2003, when I was registered to attend SFWA's flagship conference for women in Nashville, I got called for an acting job. So, I called Susan an asked if I could tape me singing our national anthem a capella for the conference . . . I did, and she has played it for attendees for years! The ladies had a grand time and learned so much. It was truly a remarkable experience that I have always regretting missing.
We have always enjoyed good times in this industry together!
- Leslie Easterbrook, "Police Academy" Actress
It all started when the oldest and most respected virtual real life military and law enforcement simulator manufacturer agreed to work with SFWA . . . a civilian organization . . . and make it possible for SFWA to add virtual customized training to our curriculum! Since then, SFWA has teamed up with a different company to help make the cost for our master instructors much more affordable. The result, SFWA offers instructors the ability to bring our exclusive training to life for our students in real life customized scenarios designed for civilian self defense!
- Tom Hubbard, SFWA Master Instructor