By: Kelly Hamilton
Raquel Riley Thomas, a decorated U.S. Army Captain (Veteran), entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women’s safety, is taking a stand for future generations with the launch of DefendRILEY: Fight Back. Stand Strong. Stay Safe. Her first major initiative under the new platform? A petition to include self-defense as an elective course in Georgia high schools.
This initiative is deeply personal. In 2013, Raquel lost her mother (M. Riley) to suicide. In the aftermath, she learned her mother had also been a survivor of assault—a painful revelation that echoed Raquel’s own past trauma. Rather than retreating, she channeled her grief into action, focusing on empowering women and girls through self-defense education and safety awareness.
Raquel is laying the groundwork for a foundation to provide more accessible self-defense education to women and girls across Georgia and, potentially, the nation. A red belt in Taekwondo and an active martial arts student, Raquel is working toward her black belt with aspirations of becoming a Master Instructor. Her long-term vision includes evolving DefendRILEY into a nonprofit that could offer scholarships and hands-on training.
“The time to act is now,” Raquel says. “Our young people—especially girls—should have the tools to protect themselves. We teach them so much in classrooms, but often overlook one of the most fundamental life skills: how to stay safe.”
The petition encourages lawmakers to explore making self-defense an elective option in Georgia high schools, giving every student, regardless of background, the chance to learn critical safety skills. The movement also envisions expanding this effort to middle schools and colleges.
While the petition begins in Georgia, Raquel hopes it might inspire broader change. Her call to action is clear: sign the petition, share your story, and join the effort to integrate self-defense into youth education.
The DefendRILEY mission reflects this commitment:
“DefendRILEY aims to empower women and girls through hands-on self-defense training, personal safety education, and confidence-building strategies. We strive to provide individuals with the skills and mindset to fight back, stand strong, and stay safe, helping survivors reclaim their power and fostering a world where no woman has to feel powerless.”
Raquel’s vision extends beyond the classroom. DefendRILEY hopes to cultivate a global community where self-defense is recognized as a right, not a privilege.
Raquel acknowledges that change takes time but remains steadfast. “This petition is a first step,” she says. “We’re working toward a future where every girl and woman understands her strength—and how to use it.”
Supporters can contribute by signing the petition, sharing it on social media, and raising awareness for the cause. With growing momentum, the movement to bring self-defense into schools gains traction, one classroom at a time.
To support the DefendRILEY petition, visit Change.
For media inquiries, please contact: An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC | pr@aoagwllc.com
Disclaimer: Raquel Riley Thomas’s petition to include self-defense as a high school elective in Georgia. The petition link contains a referral code for tracking purposes, meaning that actions taken through this link may benefit her advocacy efforts. By signing the petition, you are supporting her initiative to bring self-defense education into schools.
Published by Liz SD.
