Children's Self-Defense/Safety Book “I Need to be SAFE: I'm Worth It!" Wins 2007 Book Award High Honors

On October 23, 2007, the Book Publicists of Southern California awarded Janet Goliger, author and teacher, and her children's self-defense book, “I Need to be SAFE: I'm Worth It! – How to Protect Your Child From Danger", (ISBN 978-0-9768273-2-0; CLASS Publications, June 1, 2006; Paperback: $19.95), the 2007 IRWIN Award (Industry Recognition of Writers In The News) for "Best Community Service Campaign". Janet's C.L.A.S.S. Self-Defense program for schools and her children's self-defense book, “I Need to be SAFE: I'm Worth It!", teaches children and parents proactive self-defense survival skills using verbal and physical techniques that empower children with the confidence to "fight back".

Presenting Janet with the 2007 IRWIN Award was Kelly Lange, former celebrated News Anchorperson of NBC-4 News in Los Angeles, California. "Janet Goliger is truly a CLASS Act - for several reasons. A few years ago she formed a unique self-defense program to save children's lives: C.L.A.S.S. – Children Learning Awareness, Safety & Self-Defense. That inspired her to write her book, “I Need to be SAFE: I'm Worth It! – How to Protect Your Child from Danger." Kelly went on to say, "A physical education teacher in the Glendale Unified School District and a black belt martial artist, she brings knowledge, enthusiasm, passion and a good sense of humor to every class she teaches, student assemblies, and parent presentations. She also conducts workshops for the Girl Scouts of America, local community organizations, churches and synagogues. She is very involved with the community, always ready to furnish a helping hand for self-defense. Her program has already saved the lives of five children."

In her acceptance speech, Janet's passion for children and their safety was very genuine. “Children need to learn how to recognize danger and how to escape to safety. There is no way to ensure a risk-free environment, but there is a way to empower a child to be confident to fight back", said Goliger. “Without our children we have no future. Children are no longer safe in their own front yards. It is our responsibility as teachers and parents to empower our children with safe self-defense survival skills." Janet continued, "Children are abused and abducted daily. It is for them that I developed my program and wrote my book, and it is because of them that I will continue my teaching to help give our children, if not a safer world, at least the safety tools they need to survive in it. The C.L.A.S.S. Self-Defense program and “I Need to be SAFE: I'm Worth it!" shows children and parents how use safe and effective self-defense techniques to be more aware of their surroundings, react quickly in any threatening situation, fight back if grabbed, and how to escape to safety."

Impressed by her martial arts status, Kelly Lange was sure to mention that Janet Goliger was a 2nd degree black belt and requested a demonstration on stage. In her final words, Kelly Lange said," "Janet Goliger is truly deserving of the IRWIN Award."

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