Sensei Freeman began her martial arts career in the early 1970's under the tutelage of Master George Wells, a Japanese Goju practitioner. Mr. Wells instilled in his students the necessity for repetition and query to better understand the art of Goju-Ryu. He presented her with a Black belt - her first - in 1974. During this period Sensei Freeman was exposed and shared many special moments with other senior martial artist like Fred Hamilton, Aaron Banks and most frequently Grand Master Leon Wallace. Mr. Wallace, a USA Goju artist, took a keen interest in her growth throughout her beginning years and nearly always attended her Saturday class, offering instruction, advice and correction. A long and challenging relationship formed. He renamed her " Madame Butterfly".Sensei Freeman has competed in numerous tournaments and has been the recipient of many first place acknowledgements. At the time of her departure from the tournament circuit, she was known as far away as Canada and ranked number two(2) on the East coast. Today Sensei Freeman has contributed to the development of one Martial Arts School and has two she founded and developed. Martial Arts for Youth (MAFY)GKO operates from the Hansborough Recreation Center and from the Lehman Community Center. The schools were established for the development of youth through Martial Arts and personal safety. As she is also a student of Ju-Jitsu, under the instruction of Master Qariyb Muhammad and informally, Sensei John Wheaton III. Her students learn Japanese/USA Goju-Ryu and basic Ju-Jitsu. She believes limiting one's exposure to other martial arts also limits knowledge, ability and respect for other styles.
After more than twentyfive (25) years in the Martial arts, Sensei Freeman offers the following on the subject of rank: "it is not important what rank one holds, it is important what one does with the rank he/she has." Of young people she says: "children are our legacy...they must be shaped and taught that they are leaders."
