by Kathryn Cross
In 2013, Mira Costa student and second degree black belt Pooja Nagpal created a three-week self-defense program she called For a Change, Defend, and began teaching it to at-risk women and children. She created the program to earn her Girl Scout Gold award, one of scouting’s highest honors.
“It’s something that I had been wanting to create for a long time,” Nagpal said. “Doing something without my parents or adults pushing me to do it gave me a feeling of independence. I did it because I really enjoy it and I want to dedicate my life to social equality and justice.”
To meet the Gold Award’s 80-hour project requirement, Nagpal traveled to India for three weeks in 2013. There, she taught For a Change, Defend at Arya Public High School in a rural area in Hamachal Pradesh.
“The girls I taught became mentally stronger as they became physically stronger,” Nagpal said. “It made me realize that we need to stop talking about raising awareness. This world needs more activists who will socially, economically and politically empower women.”
Upon her return to Los Angeles, Nagpal established For a Change, Defend as a 501(c)3 non-profit. Since then, For a Change, Defend has partnered with numerous foundations in India, including the educational organization Navjyoti Foundation and locally, the New Star Family Justice Center, a Los Angeles domestic violence prevention organization.
“After my project in India in 2013, I was inspired by the results that I decided to create the non-profit so I could partner with other foundations, spread the cause and raise money,” Nagpal said.
This past summer, Nagpal went to New Delhi, India for seven weeks. She trained over 500 women and girls in rural and urban villages and schools, including the Blind Institute for Girls in Chandigarh, India.
“Oftentimes, it’s girls like those from the Blind Institute who come from very poor backgrounds that are assaulted and harassed,” Nagpal said. “It was difficult because teaching self-defense involves mostly demonstration. But I have never seen a group of people pick up the self-defense techniques so quickly. They were amazing.”
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America recently chose Nagpal as one of 10 National Young Women of Distinction. They will be honored Oct. 7 at the Edith Macy Conference Center in Chappaqua, New York.
“The best part of being honored is not the scholarship, award, but the opportunity to meet amazing people and further raise awareness about violence against women and inequality,” Nagpal said.
Nagpal will speak about For a Change, Defend at the Nov. 14 TedxManhattanBeach. She said will focus on the importance of acting politically, socially and economically to end worldwide problems, such as poverty.
“I hope to continue teaching self-defense and empowering women for the rest of my life,” Nagpal said.” ER
