COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - A local senior said she won't go down without a fight. Marilyn Grennan, 81, has joined a handful of 20-somethings who are taking a self-defense class for credit at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.
Grennan said she knows all too well that you never know when you're going to be in danger.
"All I remember is this person was coming at me through the window," Marilyn Grennan recalled from an experience years ago while she was stopped at a red light. "I just floored the car and I took off you know."
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 95,000 people were victims of simple assault and more than 28,000 were victims of aggravated assault in 2011. Some people are fighting back by learning how not to be vulnerable.
The moves taught in the class are not intricate, just quick and deliberate.
"The first thing (the instructor) told us if something happens open up that mouth and scream as loud as you can," Grennan said.
Grennan said she's not confrontational by nature, but she's found her inner strength.
"As the years go on I've got replacement parts and you know, all that kind of thing," she said. "Well they don't work as good as your own."
"She's very strong for her age, very strong," instructor Nikki Desch said. " I was very surprised. I went in and she hit my arm and I said wow."
Grennan's strength is increasing along with her confidence.
"At any age you can defend yourself," Desch said.
Grennan is one woman you don't want to mess with.
"I'm not a weak sister anymore," she said.
Grennan said she's always been active and has never considered her age as a barrier. After being in the class for a few weeks, now she no longer feels vulnerable.
Click here for more information on classes at the Cane Creek Recreation Center.
