About Maureen
Maureen 'Moe' Pierce is a survivor, self-defense instructor, and passionate advocate for women's and children's safety. Her story begins at the age of 8 years old while at a park with her mother and best friend, a stranger grabbed her, threatened her life and forced her into his car.
He sped away and drove her to a corn field, where he assaulted her repeatedly. He threatened to hurt or kill her if she screamed or moved. She eventually felt empowered through prayer to get up and flee. Moe went to the side of the road, where she waved down a car.
Weeks later, the man was caught. Maureen identified him in a line up, and he was later charged, convicted and sentenced to 46 years in prison.
In 2011, tragedy struck close to home when 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera from Canton, GA, was abducted and murdered. Listening to a radio segment about child safety and the radKIDS program, Moe knew her next calling: to help protect children and families.
She became a certified radKIDS instructor and later a certified R.A.D. Women instructor, teaching countless self-defense courses with local police departments, YMCAs, and schools.
It was through these certifications and voicing her own story, Moe not only strengthened her body but transformed her trauma into a mission of empowerment.
For years, Moe kept her own story of abduction and assault private, weighed down by guilt and shame—common burdens for survivors. But after becoming a mother, the fear of her children facing similar dangers pushed her to seek professional counseling, where she found healing.
Today, Moe shares her experience publicly, inspiring others to confront their own fears and take action. She has been interviewed on Atlanta's "11 Alive" and CNN/HLN's Taken, where she discussed child safety tips and her personal journey.
Moe's mission is to educate and empower women to recognize, avoid, and, if necessary, escape dangerous situations, turning her personal survival into a force for change. Through her work, Moe reminds others that strength can be found in even the darkest moments.