A Hollywood veteran and a decorated Army captain are joining forces to take on one of the country’s most urgent and overlooked crises: women’s safety.
Actress Tamala Jones, known for her decades of standout performances across film and television, has been named the official Ambassador for DefendRILEY — a fast-growing national self-defense initiative founded by U.S. Army Captain (Veteran) Raquel Riley Thomas.
The partnership marks a significant moment for a movement built not on celebrity glitz, but on personal tragedy and a relentless push for change.
A mission born from grief — and resolve
Thomas launched DefendRILEY after the death of her mother, M. Riley, in 2013. The loss unearthed a painful revelation: her mother had been a survivor of assault. Thomas had faced similar trauma, and the two experiences collided into a clear purpose.
“I can’t change her past, but I can honor her by helping women and children protect their present, and fight for a safer future,” Thomas said.
What began as a personal vow has since grown into a national safety movement. Thomas — now a Taekwondo practitioner, mentor, and martial arts instructor-in-training — is preparing to transition DefendRILEY into a nonprofit to expand free and low-cost training across the U.S.
Tamala Jones steps into advocacy
Jones brings decades of industry visibility, along with a reputation for portraying complex, resilient women — from The Wood and Kingdom Come to Castle, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and holiday hit #WorstChristmasEver.
Her reason for joining DefendRILEY is blunt and urgent.
“I’m tired of seeing women and girls unprotected,” Jones said. “We deserve strength, confidence, and real tools to defend ourselves. The ‘damsel in distress’ is cancelled. It’s time to take action.”
As Ambassador, she will help drive national awareness, legislative engagement, and on-the-ground community outreach.
A movement pushing for systemic change, not just classes
DefendRILEY’s mission extends beyond teaching physical techniques. It aims to reshape how institutions think about safety and prevention.
The initiative is actively advocating for legislation requiring:
The rationale is simple: if schools teach fire drills, lockdown procedures, and health education, why not equip young people — especially girls — with proven tools to protect themselves?
Reclaiming power, one class at a time
At its core, DefendRILEY teaches hands-on self-defense, situational awareness, and confidence-building strategies. The goal is not to create fighters, Thomas says, but to give women and girls the inner calculus that tells them they are worth defending.
The movement is building quickly. Supporters are encouraged to:
For Thomas, every signature and every training session is part of rewriting a long, painful narrative.
“Women have carried fear for generations,” she said. “It’s time we replace it with power.”
For interviews: pr@aoagwllc.com Follow Raquel Riley Thomas on Instagram: @raquelrileythomas
