Sheri Bilderback – From Threatened to Empowered to Empower Others
How/Why did you get started in shooting sports?
In 2015, after three men threaten to kill me in a public park at an event I was running, and the next weekend three other men tried to carjack my car at a radio interview, I avoided both incidents, but knew I needed to empower myself for self-defense. I bought my first firearm, joined a women’s firearms self-defense group, took classes, started private training lessons, regular trained and got my conceal carry permit – all in the first two months. I found women kept coming to me for advice and help on their firearms and self-defense journey. I became a certified NRA certified firearms instructor in 2017, became the leader of the women’s firearms / self-defense group in 2018, and then relaunched it as my own women’s organization in 2022.
As a former lobbyist, being able to advocate for women and our right to self-defense is important to me, along with supporting others on their firearms and empowerment journey. That’s why I am NRA-certified in Pistol, Personal Protection Inside the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, Rifle, Refuse to be a Victim, Home Firearm Safety and a Chief Range Safety Officer.
Why are you passionate about working for SLG2:
I am passionate about empowering women! As a firearms instructor and life coach, I love encouraging women to stand in their own power, and I have the honor of doing just that for SLG2! There is nothing like helping someone – especially women – overcome their fear of firearms, learn to use their voice and develop healthy boundaries. The beaming smiles on their face when they have taken their first shots and overcome their fears is absolutely everything! I also enjoy the diverse people, backgrounds and experiences that our visitors bring to our shooting experience and their joy when they learn something new at our trailer! Plus, I am always learning new things, and of course, I absolutely love our incredible team of women!
When not shooting, what do you love to do?
I love running my own communications and advocacy consulting, professional coaching and firearms instructor business, in addition to being a civic volunteer, running my women’s self-defense organization and another non-profit I founded, plus teaching for a local community college. I love to travel (especially internationally!), spend time with family and friends, visit our Missouri Century Farm that has been in my mom’s family since 1902, practice yoga and Pilates, explore restaurants, read, watch movies, and ride a horse whenever I get the chance. And dote on my two Persian cats.