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AWMAI News
Spring 2026
In This Issue:
- Notes from The Board
- In Memoriam
2026 t-shirt artwork by Sensei Dr. Amelia Jones
AWMAI t-shirts are available for purchase at the conference!
In Memoriam
January 11, 1923 - February 28, 2026
Grand Master Bernice Jay was born on the Big Island of Hawaii on January 11, 1923. As a child, she learned Hawaiian Lomilomi massage from her Great Aunt Maile Moku. According to Bernice, " Auntie Maile started teaching me at 8 years of age. She was a bonesetter and people would come to her when they were sick or injured. She used Hawaiian herbs, massage and other healing techniques.”
While in high school Bernice moved to Honolulu. She and Wally Jay were married on June 7, 1941 in Pearl City. She began her studies in martial arts in 1944. "I wanted to be involved so I could learn what Wally was doing and talking about. I started learning jujitsu from Wally and Tony Gonzales. I also trained with Moon Watanabe who specialized in Kodokan Judo."
She received her Shodan in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu in 1947. Professor Okazaki did most of her promotions. She states, "I was awarded my black belt just in time to go to the special class that Professor Okazaki taught every ten years.”The black belt students were not allowed to take notes at this special class in 1948, so she and Wally would go home at night and write down as much as they could remember. Professor Okazaki also trained Bernice in Seifukujutsu.
The Jay family moved to Oakland on New Year’s Eve in 1950 and 6 months later moved to their home in Alameda, California. This became the family home and the headquarters of Island Jujutsu. This is where her husband, Professor Wally Jay, founded Small Circle Jujutsu. It is also the home where a young Bruce Lee came over to learn from Professor Wally Jay. Bernice also taught jujutsu classes when Wally was out of town.
AWMAI awarded her their 60 year recognition at the first Hall of Fame in 2012. She was 103 years old when she passed away in February.
September 13, 1927 - December 25, 2025
Shihan Teru F. Hendrey, 98, passed away on Christmas Day at Greenleaf Health Campus, where she had resided for the past year. She was born in Formosa, Teipei on September 13, 1927. Teru was born into a diplomatic Samurai family and studied Naginata as a youngster. Her family returned to Japan as WWII broke out. After the war, she married an American GI and moved to Indiana with him. She had one daughter, Dee Dee, who survives her. They divorced and Teru became a business translator in the media department at Miles Lab. Part of her job was traveling around the world and appraising Japanese Feudal sword collections. She has been referred to as the Midwest’s leading expert on Japanese swords.
Teru practiced Li Style Tai Chi and joined a Traditional Japanese Dance group over the years. At 60 years old, she took her grandson to a karate class and realized she could do that. She became a student of Shorin Ryu karate under Sensei Tadashi Yamashita, eventually attaining her eighth degree black belt in Yamashita Shorin Ryu and her fifth degree in Matayoshi Kobudo. She founded and taught in her own dojos, first the Okinawa Budo Institute, then Sui Bu Kan South.
She was a member of NWMAF, AWMAI and PAWMA, attending conferences, learning new practices and meeting so many women whom she greatly admired. I was privileged to train, teach and travel with her to many events. Her induction into the NWMAF Hall of Fame in 2014 was something she was proud of, and she was honored to be invited to participate in celebrations with Sifu Kore Grate and FEMA. Visiting dojos around the area, Mejishi and Thousand Waves were places she felt welcomed. The PAWMA camp in 2017 coincided with her 90th birthday, and she participated in classes with many who had no idea as to her age.
After an illness in November of 2024, Teru moved to Greenleaf and was happy to find that her nurse assistant was the wife of one of her black belt students, whom she’d known for years. She was well cared for and in good health, and even had a 95 year old Japanese woman to ate meals with daily. There will be a Celebration of Life on March 21, from 3 to 5 PM, at Four Lakes Country Club, 22786 US 12 in Edwardsburg, Michigan, for anyone who can attend.
Photos by Tih Penfil
The next Teachers' Lounge is on
Sunday, March 22
1 pm Pacific
2 pm Mountain
3 pm Central
4 pm Eastern
10 pm Central Europe
8 am Australia Central
This is a members only gathering.
You will receive a Zoom link two days before we gather.
This session is all about community and candid conversation. Here is what's on the menu:
The "Open Mic": Bring your recent wins, your "how-do-I-fix-this" business questions, or your specific teaching challenges.
Pure Connection: Not in the mood for shop talk? No worries. Just hang out and catch up with your fellow instructors.
Conference Countdown: With the big event less than a month away, we’re dedicating part of the hour to all things Conference! We’ll be sharing a sneak peek of the official schedule and answering any logistical questions you have before we head out.
It’s informal, it’s supportive, and it’s better when you’re there.
Meet the Authors
at the
Teaching the Teacher Conference
Friday, April 10, 12:30-2 PM
Meet some published authors happy to share their books with you!
Didi Goodman
Zosia Gorbaty
Nancy Rothenberg
Bring your awesome raffle items!
One of the highlights of the conference is the raffle! Each year, attendees generously donate items that entice us all to buy raffle tickets. The more great items donated, the more tickets we sell and the more dollars that go into our scholarship fund!
So, bring us your raffle items – School t-shirts, jewelry, craft items, books, cosmetics/personal care products…anything you can think of that people would like to win in a raffle!
Feel free to contact Sarah (events@awmai.org) with questions or to let her know what you will be bringing.
Jennie Trower
See You in the Crescent City!
There is a certain electricity that builds as we get closer to our annual gathering, and this year feels especially vibrant. I am thrilled to officially count down the days until we meet in New Orleans, April 10–12, for our 2026 AWMAI Teaching the Teacher Conference.
Between the rich history of this great city and the incredible lineup of sessions we have planned, I can’t imagine a better backdrop for our community to connect, train, and grow.
Reflections on the Journey
As my term on the Board draws to a close, I find myself in a deeply reflective space. Serving as your Executive Director has been one of the most personally and professionally fulfilling experiences of my career. It has been a season of growth—both for the organization and for me personally.
When I look back on the initiatives we’ve launched together, I am particularly proud of the Teachers’ Lounge. Seeing that space evolve into a consistent sanctuary for our members to share wisdom, tackle challenges, and support one another despite our busy lives has been a highlight of my tenure. It truly embodies the spirit of AWMAI.
If you haven’t joined us for a session yet, you’re in luck! The next Teachers’ Lounge is happening Sunday, March 22, at 3pm CST.
Gratitude for the Community
More than the initiatives, it is the relationships that have left the greatest mark on me. I have built positive, enriching connections with my colleagues on the Board and learned so much from so many of you. Your dedication to your students, your schools, and your own continuous learning is what makes this organization the powerhouse that it is.
The Road Ahead
While saying "see you later" to this role is bittersweet, I am stepping down with absolute confidence. I know that the organization is in great hands with Lisa Nakamura moving forward. Lisa’s talent, leadership, and deep commitment to our mission are exactly what AWMAI needs as it enters this next chapter. I am incredibly excited for her and for the future of our association.
Let’s Celebrate!
In less than a month, we will be together in the Big Easy to celebrate our achievements and learn and train together. If you haven't secured your spot yet, there is still time to join us! Register today at awmai.org/conference
Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in New Orleans!
Lisa Nakamura
Reflecting Forward
Our Teaching the Teacher 2025 conference was amazing, and I can’t wait for this year! Here are a few of my Highlight Moments as I “reflect forward” to 2026.
Sharing Our Collective Wisdom - A Talk with the Founders of AWMAI: This was deeply inspiring and resonating with my own journey. We listened to four of the five original founders talk about their vision to support current and aspiring martial arts instructors who historically have faced barriers to advancement and training. Barbara Dickens, Dara Masi, Wasentha Young and Jamie Zimron shared stories of their earliest days in the martial arts and the challenges of being a trailblazer. If you’ve not read about their inspiration and impact, here’s where you can learn more!
Our Opening Circle: Parnee Poet led a beautiful land acknowledgement and then organized us by “Most Tenured” to
“Newest” martial arts instructors. She invited us to Look Right to the those who came before us – and then to Look Left to those who follow us. This had me in (happy) tears as I looked at a room of folks coming together to learn, support and share our collective wisdom!
Induction into the Hall of Fame: After 4+ decades of training in a male-dominated system, it was an honor to stand with Sarah Ludden, Teddie Linder and Nancy Lanoue for our induction into AWMAI’s Hall of Fame. The grace and grit of our Hall of Fame awardees continue to inspire those who follow us… and this year we have SEVEN inductees who will be honored!
Teaching, Training and Learning: Whether it was training with Olympians, sharing business strategies with school owners, or waking up with an early morning workout – my body, mind and spirit were constantly engaged and energized!
Looking Forward: I am curious to learn from you, our AWMAI community, particularly as Jennie and I prepare to transition leadership roles. How can we continue to empower and elevate our next generation? How do we keep building inclusive spaces for folxs wanting to teach and build their schools? How can we continue to connect and lift each other? Your ideas and suggestions are welcome. I hope to hug / high five / fist bump together in New Orleans!
Photos by Tih Penfil
Amelia Jones
This years’ conference promises to be extraordinary. The lineup of instructors are incredible. The class offerings are all so interesting, it will be difficult to choose. In the midst of the numerous activities for the final preparations for the conference, I struggle to be completely upbeat. Daily current events increasingly highlight attacks on women’s autonomy and values, and gender-based violence. War continues to be waged both at home and abroad. Yet our organization maintains a beacon of hope. We will gather together, joyfully. We will share our wisdom, learn from each other and celebrate our accomplishments. We will care for our bodies, form new bonds and reinforce existing ones. By gathering together we amplify our power by orders of magnitude. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I am confident that all of us will be able to “recharge our batteries,” reinforce our determination, and resolve to move forward in positive directions. The Year of the Horse is a year of transformative change, and each of us has the opportunity to be a catalyst. We will be the change that we wish to see in the world. Michele Montag It's so exciting to be just weeks away from another Teaching the Teacher conference! As a martial artist, an instructor, a business owner and a manager, this professional development opportunity has become an important and truly impactful highlight of my year. After I attended my first conference, I was struck by how immediate my investment in the opportunity paid back. Each subsequent year has proven that this is the rule, not the exception. As a business owner, I’ve gained incredible knowledge and action items to support, sustain, and grow. From marketing to community engagement to business planning and technology, each conference has given me new business insights to help me build a successful school where we empower students to be their best. After each conference, I set aside time to meet with my instructor team to pass along the incredible advice and innovative teaching tips that come from the conference. I get so many new ideas for engaging students in class, learning through games, fostering leadership, challenging students at different levels, working with different age groups and abilities, teaching to different learning styles - the list goes on and on! - and my entire instructor team and all of our students reap the benefits. I am especially appreciative of how the conference allows me to mentally re-charge and reinvigorate myself, surrounded by wonderfully talented and supportive peers. I look forward to learning together once again this year! | Sarah Sponzo
We are only a few short weeks away from gathering in New Orleans for the 2026 AWMAI Conference! We cannot wait to see everyone learning, laughing, reconnecting, and celebrating together. We’re putting the final sparkle on the schedule, special events, and our Hall of Fame Banquet — and it’s going to be a fantastic few days. The team at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans is ready to roll out the welcome mat (and yes, the warm chocolate chip cookies!). With comfortable guest rooms, great meeting space, and an unbeatable downtown location, we’ll be right in the middle of all the New Orleans energy. Flying in? The hotel is about 25 minutes from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. While there isn’t a hotel shuttle, Uber, Lyft, and taxis are easy and plentiful and you’ll be checking in before you know it. Remember that we have a Google doc set up for ridesharing. Be sure to review the “What to Bring” list and travel tips in this newsletter to make your prep smooth and stress-free. And most importantly… pack something festive for the banquet! We always celebrate in style. We have everyone’s meal selections and requests noted, but if anything has changed or you have additional dietary needs, please reach out to Sarah at events@awmai.org. If you still need a room, don’t panic! Reach out and we’ll help however we can. So make your list, pack those bags, bring your energy and get ready for an unforgettable few days of connection, celebration, and a little New Orleans magic. We’ll see you soon! Parnee Poet We’re just weeks away from our annual conference! The Board continues to finalize our plans; big and small decisions, asking questions, discussing possibilities, working together, everything to make our time together powerful! AWMAI is a place to meet martial arts and self defense instructors at our annual in-person conference and at our bi-monthly on-line Teachers’ Lounges. Together, we inspire and support each other despite our busy lives of keeping our schools going, improving our teaching skills, continuing or re-starting our training, learning new skills, fine-tuning our strengths, strengthening challenging areas, and hopefully, finding more community and improving community building together. Thank you to Zosia Gorbaty for suggesting the Meet the Authors gathering at this conference! See you at the Teachers’ Lounge on March 22, 3 PM CENTRAL and/or in the Chahta Yakni and Chitimacha Territories, April 10-12, 2026! |
As we shovel out from under the second blizzard of ‘26, I can hardly believe that we will soon be gathering in sunny New Orleans! Excitement is building and the final details are falling into place.
The countdown is officially on!
Thank youto our Sponsors!Sponsorships help support AWMAI and our Conference. To see more sponsors, or become one, click here!
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AWMAIBoard of DirectorsExecutive Director Administrative Director Newsletter Editor Parnee Poet Certification Director Amelia Jones Events Director Financial Director |
Our Mission:
We provide high-quality education, training, and support, as well as opportunities for networking, advancement, and professional recognition, to women instructors and business owners in the fields of martial arts and self-defense.
Our Vision
We strive to be leaders in the communities we serve; to be partners in helping each other achieve recognition and excellence in our respective pursuits; and to take pride in elevating the performance and reputation of all our members’ schools and classes.
Our Values
These values are at the heart of our organization.
Integrity - We maintain the highest standards of personal and business ethics in all our interactions, continually strengthening relationships through honesty, trustworthiness and reliability.
Respect - We respect the unique contributions of every teacher and student, valuing the diversity of their experiences, ideas and initiatives. We ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn and contribute in a way that enriches their personal development.
Inclusivity - We welcome all women, including individuals who are transgender, non-binary or self-identify as women and who believe a space reserved for women martial artists is a home.
The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors welcomes female martial arts instructors, assistant instructors, and aspiring instructors of all martial arts styles hard and soft to become Members. As a Member you will have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other women who have trail-blazed the path you are now pursuing. Tangible membership benefits include an Association patch for new members, an E-Link for your school to our website plus posting of your upcoming events, E-Newsletter, and unlimited networking possibilities.
