Fearless and Female is dedicated to my friend, Julie Marie Ladd. Julie and I met when we became friends and next door neighbors in first grade. We went to elementary school, junior high and high school together. After high school we both enrolled in college at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. The summer after our freshman year in college, Julie was murdered in the basement of her dormitory at the age of 19. Julie's murderer was eventually caught. Julie had not been his first victim and we now know she was not his last victim.  

                                                              

CINDY COUGHENOUR - Founder of Fearless and Female, National Speaker
Cindy founded Fearless and Female in 2001 as a direct response to the murder of her childhood friend, Julie Ladd.  As a Professional Speaker and Self-Defense Advocate Cindy is certified and trained in many different forms of self-defense, such as:

The inspiration

  • Jane Jitsu - Certified
  • Krav Maga
  • Multiple Assailant Attacks
  • Confined Area Tactics
  • Rape Escape/Defend University
  • Model Mugging - Graduate
  • Fight Like A Girl - Instructor
  • Girls on Guard - Instructor

Julie Ladd - Southeast High School
1976 Graduation picture
Cindy and Julie 
Second grade

"As young girls, Julie and I knew how to dance, swim and drive a car but we didn't know how to protect our bodies in a dangerous situation. I now travel the country teaching women and young girls the lifesaving skills that Julie and I never had the opportunity to learn."  

Cindy Cushing Coughenour

International - Fearless and Female techniques have been taught in Kenya and India!