Testimonials
To Whom It May Concern:
We first met Sensei Marcia Mason in 2003 when exploring different martial arts schools. Our three children - seven, five and three years of age at that time - immediately liked Sensei and have been eager students of hers ever since.
Sensei Mason's way of teaching contributed to understand respect and discipline, to
engage in random acts of kindness, to think responsibly and build increased self esteem
based on the wholistic approach of body, mind and spirit.
Her firm but gentle way of teaching complemented by her great sense of humor certainly
makes children as well as adolescents strive for the best within them.
i am sure that Mrs. Mason makes a difference in many people's lives.
Although Marcia went through a very difficult time with regard to her own personal life, she always demonstrated patience, understanding, compassion and kindness. She certainly embodies the tenets of Karate - courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit.
When Marcia told me about Gurl Fytrz. I was very impressed. Although the initiation of Gurl Fytrz holds many challenges, am sure that she will pursue her goals and try to help others since she sees Gurl Fytrz as the mission of her life.
strongly hope for Marcia to get funded by grants and donations, and to receive any kind of material support to make her mission succeed. It means a lot to know that a non profit organization like Gurl Fytrz is on the way to provide comfort and hope for so many women who are not as fortunate as others. I certainly wish Marcia Mason's vision to come true.
Sincerely, Susanna
To: Whom it may concern From: Jason Bradley Re: Marcia Mason
To whom it may concern,
I am a Police Officer in the Heber City area, and have lived in the Heber area for 9 years. I have known of Marcia as she has operated a karate studio in the area for much of that time. I have been a martial artist since I was 16 years old, and a student of Sensei Mason for just under a year.
As a martial artist, I have been very impressed with Sensei Mason. She is a highly talented practitioner of the art and is very motivated. Sensei Mason competes regularly and holds many titles. Sensei Mason encourages motivation, citizenship and respect for self and others.
In martial arts as well as her other ventures, Marcia always orients her goals towards benefiting others, especially kids and women. Marcia has a common theme in every thing she does, which is to end child abuse and domestic violence. Marcia's latest venture with Girl Fighters is another example of this.
As an entrepreneur, Marcia has been successful in a difficult market. Rent in the Heber area is high, and small businesses routinely struggle. Karate studios are notoriously difficult to operate, with many lasting only months at a time. To my knowledge, Marcia has been able to keep her classes running in this area for around 8 years.
I would recommend Marcia to you, as a low risk high yield personality. Any investment or trust placed in her will produce the highest quality results.
Sincerely,
Jason Bradley Heber City, UT
I am writing this letter in support of the non-profit organization Gurlfytrz and as an endorsement of its founder, Marcia Mason.
When I first heard of Gurlfytrz I thought that it was simply a name of a place where women go to learn karate and self-defense. Then I was given a brochure that explains in great detail what Gurlfytrz is and what it can truly do for women who are in need of its facilities and services. Once I read it front to back I realized that I was reading about something that is revolutionary and much needed, not just in Utah but throughout the United States. Yes, there are places where battered and defeated women can go to seek shelter from abuse. Those places do what they can with their limited budgets and resources. Often, unfortunately, those women are back at home or, worse yet, back on the streets within a month or so. They are then faced with only two choices: 1) returning home and facing the same abusive situation with no newly acquired skills, self-defense techniques or legitimate means to escape their domestic prisons, or 2) having the courage to leave but with nowhere to go. "Starting over" is not an option or reality for most. To make matters worse, the government does not make this issue a priority; in fact, more tax dollars are spent annually on issues related to animal protection than the safety and empowerment of women in domestic abuse situations.
This is where Gurlfytrz comes in to play. This organization is being created with the intent to not only provide refuge for these victimized women for indefinite periods of time, but to provide real, viable solutions. The women will learn techniques that will help them to be a more confident parent and a role model to their children. Learning to eat healthier and exercise will help them to feel better about their appearance. Learning self defense is crucial to their survival and ability to protect them from an abuser. Learning more about finances and money management will enable them to be more responsible with their money and also to be prepared for their future, particularly if an "escape plan" becomes inevitable. These life skills are just a few of the remarkable ways that Gurlfytrz will be able to empower these women by increasing their physical and emotional strength, self esteem and self worth, and confidence.
All of this will enable these women to function independently and in some cases, simply function. But the ultimate goal of Gurlfytrz is not to isolate women from men. On the contrary - the end result of the Gurlfytrz experience will be a woman's ability to find and choose a man with whom she can live interdependently, the way God intended.
Another reason for the eventual success of Gurlfytrz will not just be the design and infrastructure of the organization but also because of the leadership and direction of its founder, Marcia Mason. I have known Marcia for two years while serving as her local banker. Marcia became a loyal customer well before I came aboard. I admire her, as do others, because of her strength, candor and integrity. Marcia is someone who does not beat around the bush; she will tell it to you the way it is. However, while others can be guilty of tactlessness and being offensive, Marcia conveys her opinions and thoughts in a respectful and mature manner. Marcia, like so many of us, has experienced difficult times and been betrayed by those closest to her. Following such experiences, many people wallow in their sadness, spending years or maybe a lifetime harboring feelings of resentment and anger, never again feeling moments of true happiness and contentment. Marcia represents the opposite. She has learned from her experiences, grown as a result of her personal challenges, and has demonstrated grace, strength and maturity by forgiving those that have hurt her in the past.
This is exactly the kind of person who should be starting such a program as Gurlfytrz. These women will not only need to identify with Marcia's past but, more importantly, they will need to eventually identify and emulate who she has become. With Marcia Mason at the helm, I have complete confidence that Gurlfytrz will be successful in its attempt to help, restore and strengthen the hearts, minds and souls of women who seek the services of Gurlfytrz.
Sincerely,
TEAM MICHAEL REALTY CORP.
February 16, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
My wife and I met Marcia Mason soon after we moved to our current home in Wanship in 2004 and immediately became friends. I have always admired Marcia’s drive, determination and straightforwardness. Once you meet Marcia, it doesn’t take long to recognize that her life is a tireless commitment to improving the lives of others. As a Realtor, I believe it is our duty to do what we can to contribute to making our community a better place for all and the mission of Gurlfytrz certainly would accomplish that and it is a greatly needed service. There are other organizations that are committed to helping women and children of Domestic Abuse, but the reason I feel strongly about, and support Gurlfytrz is the vision for Gurlfytrz not only to removes a woman from a horrible abusive environment, but it teaches life skills that allows that individual to become confident and self sufficient and not have to rely on someone else, therefore potentially breaking that cycle of abuse. I feel it’s not enough to just remove a woman and children from the abusive situation and not teach them how to become independent and support themselves. It many cases women are forced to return to the abusive environment because they lack the skills and confidence to take care of themselves. Marcia’s vision for Gurlfytrz effectively addresses all these issues and this community would greatly benefit from such a facility. The
Marcia uses her training in karate to help women learn self defense so they can protect themselves, she has opened her home to give shelter to women in need, but those resources are limited therefore the Gurlfytrz facility would greatly enable Marcia to help many more who are in need. I fully support and believe in Marcia’s vision for Gurlfytrz and as a Realtor I have committed my resources to finding a parcel of land that would be ideal for the project. I believe there many supporters out there willing to make this project succeed. My hope is that funding from different sources will materialize to make this vision a reality and our community will benefit greatly.
Sincerely,
Michael Hatz
Team Michael with RE/MAX
January 3, 2006
My name is Cindy Beem and I am the Fitness Coordinator at the Silver Mountain Spa in Park City, Utah. My daughter, Jenny is eleven years old, and has attended (and is still attending) Marcia's karate class for a year. Jenny is unique in that she has Down Syndrome. Despite Jenny's disability, she has really excelled in karate, thanks to Marcia's individualized attention. Marcia has placed many hours toward helping Jenny become more independent and strong through karate training. Jenny struggles with her behavior and has trouble focusing her attention as well. However, since Jenny started attending Marcia's karate class, I have seen her vastly improve in both these areas. Jenny also feels like she is part of the group and the other kids in her karate class are kind and supportive. In my opinion, Marcia is a wonderful roll model, and a patient teacher I am thankful to have Marcia and karate in my daughter's life.
Cindy Beem
Jenny is still in our school at age 15-she is now a high green belt and her Dad is building her hoer own cabin on thier propert. (2-2010)
