Genny Edge
“Cougar”
Kiado-Ryu Black Belt #13, 1st Dan
15 December
1990
For years, Genny Edge watched her son Jimmy move through belt levels from white to 2nd Brown. Finally, when she was in her mid forties, the KIA ignition switch turned on and she began her own martial art journey.
Cougar established three KIA firsts: 1. she was the first woman in her forties to begin AND finish the Black Belt journey—an accomplishment culminating in her fiftieth year; 2. she was the first mother to become a KIA Black Belt; 3. she was also the first parent to follow in the footsteps of her child. Unfortunately, her teenage son, Jimmy, was unable to get to Black Belt which underscores, even more, Cougar’s remarkable achievement.
Genny Edge was one of the stabilizing influences in the early days of the KIA. Her ability to support and encourage others was a great boon to those younger than she. After all, if a woman in her forties could start a strenuous karate regimen and get her Black Belt when in her fifties, what excuses could a younger person have? That’s right, none. Indeed, Genny “Cougar” Edge was not just an inspiration but an ignition switch for the successes of others!