NWMAF Hosts Annual Conference, “Forward Together,” at North Central College

NWMAF Hosts Annual Conference, “Forward Together,” at North Central College

(CHICAGO – July 14, 2025) NWMAF, the leading organization empowering women in martial arts, will host its annual conference July 17 to 21 at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. The conference is themed “Forward Together” to highlight members’ continued connections and solidarity throughout the years and into the future. While general registration is closed, the interested public is welcome to attend Super Saturday July 19, a showcase of the best of NWMAF’s offerings in classes and performances.

The four-day conference includes 44 classes across the three strands of practice that make up NWMAF’s mission: martial arts, self-defense, and healing arts. Affinity group meetings, presentations, performances, and a bazaar and silent auction round out the non-class offerings.

The martial arts on display at Forward Together include judo, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, kajukenbo, and kali, among many others. The classes are taught by women and non-binary instructors at the head of their arts, with decades of experience.

NWMAF is the flagship organization for Empowerment Self-Defense, a system that teaches practical skills to those targeted for gender-based violence—primarily women, LGBTQIA+ people, and non-binary people. These skills help people avoid, interrupt, respond to, and heal from interpersonal violence. In line with the principles of Empowerment Self-Defense, NWMAF strives to provide a welcoming environment for everyone through a set of community agreements and both physical and emotional safety teams, as well as designated quiet/relaxation areas and other accommodations.

Healing arts round out Forward Together’s offerings with yoga, acupuncture, and meditation.

Founded in 1976, NWMAF serves as a home for women, transgender and nonbinary people to participate in a safe environment surrounded by others sharing the common goal of working to increase participation of and empower women in martial arts.

For more information, please visit https://nwmaf.org/current-conference/ and contact Magnolia Schnirman Barría by email at digital@nwmaf.org or by phone at (754) 302-2748.

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