The day the Washington Post article published, my phone didn't stop ringing as all the top networks were trying to reach me to do their own TV spot. I let it ring, while emails flowed in from strangers and friends alike -- most of them thanking me for the inspiration and for being a hero. Yikes, I wasn't quite ready for all that.
TV cameras showed up at my door that afternoon -- without an invite; I asked the reporter to leave. I wanted to inspire folks, but didn't feel a 30 second spotlight would be able to portray the bigger story.
Diane Sawyer tried reaching me through email -- even emailed my friend Julie Parker who is the publisher of WNC Woman where I had published articles earlier that year. In addition, she had an ABC reporter drive up from Charlotte -- nearly 2 hours away -- and find my house to ask me in person if I would appear on the Good Morning America show.
Long story short, I agreed -- only in the case that it would be a big enough spot to make my points and hopefully touch more lives. Read the ABC news clip here or the .pdf story here and watch the video below.
Wow, Anne. You are so brave. It was indeed a declaration of your strength. You managed to turn that horrible event into an inspiration for everyone else. It’s great to know that you took self defense classes. It’s says a lot about your effort to overcome your fears.
Posted by: Saundra Tosh | August 23, 2012 at 01:32 PM