May Whitley is the badass Depression-era woman showing ladies how to protect themselves in this vintage self-defense video. She lays waste to her would-be attacker and the notion of females being the “weaker sex” with one beautiful jiu-jitsu move after the next. Female empowerment was certainly not a common notion in those days, but that didn’t deter Whitley from showing her strength (while breaking a few stereotypes about women as well).
Search
Latest Stories
Start your day right!
Get latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox.
We have a small favor to ask of you
Facebook is critical to our success and we could use your help. It will only take a few clicks on your device. But it would mean the world to us.
Here’s the link . Once there, hit the Follow button. Hit the Follow button again and choose Favorites. That’s it!
The Latest
Most Popular
Sign Up for
The Daily GOOD!
Get our free newsletter delivered to your inbox
















Honorable J. Cedric Simpson at work in the courtroom.Image from
A close up of Judge Simpson.Image from 
Siblings engaging in a pillow fightCanva

Revenge can feel easier than forgiveness, which often brings sadness or anxiety. 
Created with
Where to turn off autoplay in your account on Facebook’s website.Screen capture by The Conversation, 
A young teen cries while listening to music via 
A young couple waits in line at a coffee shopCanva
Gif of Eddie Murphy telling you to think