Cheektowaga Woman Leading Effort to Teach Women Self Defense

Kelly Gandt might not have set out to become a fighter and an advocate, but it’s the hand she was dealt. 

On March 2, Gandt was coming home from Buffalo when a man followed her, attacked her in her driveway in front of her Cheektowaga home, and attempted to drag her into his vehicle. She fought back, grabbing the steering wheel as the vehicle was in motion, leading the car to crash and allowing her to escape. 

While that chapter of her life was unexpected and terrifying, she’s trying to move forward, especially now that her attacker, Abel Gebrehawaria, has been found guilty of kidnapping and faces a five-year prison sentence. 

Part of moving forward is trying to help others who might unexpectedly find themselves in a similar situation. 

She admits to still having nightmares about the incident, but she doesn’t want to be afraid anymore. 

“I think it’s really important to fully own my story authentically and to be able to have a voice if I’m encouraging other women to have a voice and come forward with their stories,” she said recently. 

It also means teaming up with Hype Fitness Studio and SPAR Self Defense to offer self-defense classes for women so they can protect themselves in dangerous situations. The first session took place on August 24; a second is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, starting at noon at the Hype Fitness Studio, 1 Seneca Street Suite 1B Southeast in Buffalo. 

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Gandt said she found strength in sharing her story and has decided to become an advocate for other women and for topics of women’s safety against abuse and violence. 

“What had happened and where she is now, I think, speaks volumes to how strong she is,” Hype Fitness Studio instructor Rachel Veronda said of Gandt. “I think a lot of times we think, Oh, it’s not going to happen to us, or maybe not to someone close to us, so it was a very big gut check and just realizing this can happen anywhere.” 

More information on the class can be found at Hype Fitness Studio’s website and app.