Thanks to Lyn for sending:
“Grandmaster Carol Middleton, a 7th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and the founder and director of the D.C. Self-Defense Karate Association (DCSDKA), died on Aug. 11, 2026, in Chantilly, Va. She was 78 years old.
Grandmaster Middleton was a national figure in martial arts and women’s self-defense for almost 60 years, teaching Tae Kwon Do and self-defense to many thousands of Washington, D.C.-area students throughout the school’s history.
DCSDKA was founded in 1976 and classes were held in locations around Northwest D.C., including the Marie Reed Recreation Center, All Souls Church Unitarian, and Bancroft Elementary School in Adams Morgan and Mount Pleasant. Later, DCSDKA moved to Georgia Avenue. DCSDKA students were a familiar site at events in Washington, including Take Back the Night March demonstrations and youth performances at community gatherings. (more…)