Deb Ferns
The WOMA Founder
Deb Ferns lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband Gary. They have two daughters and a parade of English Mastiffs. Ferns has an MBA and authored the book, Babes with Bullets. She is the co-founder of Babes with Bullets firearms academy, the Founder of the Women’s Outdoor Media Association and was awarded a NSSF Heritage Grant for her work in mentoring women in the hunting fields.
In 2020 Deb was the first Super Senior woman (age 65+) to shoot in the Heavy Metal “multigun” world championships with a .308 AR-10, .45 caliber handgun and 12 gauge shotgun. In 2021 she became the President of the 501c3 charity program, Wild Horse Fire Brigade, trying to save America’s native wild horses from extinction.
From Idea to Impact: The Inspiring Story of How the WOMA Was Born
Founders Story by Deb Ferns
Many years ago I read a quote by a famous author and columnist (Erma Bombeck) “When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’ ” That quote, that sense of making the most of what God has given me while I’m here on earth is what changed my life at age 45. I learned how to shoot a gun, then decided to take up competitive shooting. At age 50, in 2004, I teamed up with two amazing women (Kay Miculek and Lisa Munson) and started Babes with Bullets. That was the first time that an all-female firearms academy traveled across the country training women in a multiday immersion program. Many other women’s programs have emerged over the years but we were the first and bluntly to this day, now over 19 years later with over 7,000 alumni, I believe we’re still the best training academy for women taught by women.
After starting Babes with Bullets I kept looking for the next mountain to climb, always with the thought in mind that there was more we could be doing for women to highlight their rise in fields of hunting, fishing, shooting sports and archery. It was from this passion to see women be more, to see women do more, that the Women’s Outdoor Media Association was born in 2009. From the very beginning we’ve been an all-volunteer board of directors. Then in 2014 we decided to expand into doing an annual training event (“She Never Quit”) relating to shooting, hunting, fishing and archery while developing into a 501c3 charity foundation at the same time.
Every year our She Never Quit event gets bigger and the dollars raised by our volunteer board of the WOMA charity foundation grows as well. The talented women on our WOMA board are AMAZING and their heart to continue this charity program for female veterans and female first responders is something I’ll cherish as my time to serve is gone and my time with God starts.
About WOMA
The Women's Outdoor Media Association (WOMA), founded in 2009 by Deb Ferns, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to champion women's achievements in the outdoors. An all-volunteer board of passionate women drives the organization, which is dedicated to encouraging women in the outdoor endeavors of shooting sports, archery, fishing, and hunting.
WOMA’s signature "She Never Quit" event not only fosters a strong sense of community and leadership but also raises vital funds for veteran and first responder women-centric charitable organizations such as The Foundation for Women Warriors, The SEAL Family Foundation, SOLE Sisterhood, Fallen Blue, Her Wildlife, Michael Voigt Presidential Educational Program, Open Doors to Future Possibilities, The 100 Club of Central Texas, Wreaths Across America, Trinity Oaks Outdoors, and Team Never Quit. WOMA continues to use media platforms to highlight the positive impact of women in these rapidly growing industries.
The Mission & Vision of WOMA
About
Deb Ferns
In a world where many people shy away from firearms, Deb found her passion and purpose teaching other women how to use them. For nearly 20 years, as the co-founder of Babes with Bullets firearms academy, she traveled the country, empowering thousands of novice women with the skills and confidence to handle handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
Deb's dedication to the great outdoors and empowering women didn't stop there. She also founded the Ladies Adventure Camp Experience, an organization that introduces women to the exhilarating worlds of hunting and fishing.
Beyond her work, Deb is an advocate for animals and the environment. She's the Vice President of Red Collar Rescue & Recovery, a group dedicated to saving lost and stray dogs, and she serves on the advisory board for the Wild Horse Fire Brigade. When she's not helping others, you can often find her on the trail, indulging in her love for hiking or sharing her expertise as a Hatha yoga instructor.
Founder
Erica Chin
Erica's life took a new direction in 2013 when her husband suggested she try gun competition. But it was in 2016, at a Babes with Bullets 3-gun match, that she found her true community. After meeting a group of incredible women who introduced her to the Women's Outdoor Media Association (WOMA), Erica was all in.
Erica's dedication has taken her from being the massage therapist at the She Never Quit event to her current role as President. Now, as the co-host of the Amateurs and Experts podcast, she is excited for the future of WOMA and the community she loves. A retired law enforcement officer of 23 years, Erica's passion is fueled by the support of her husband and daughter.
President
Katie Riley
From her first shooting lesson with her dad, Katie Riley understood the importance of firearm safety. After a severe car accident at age fifteen left her with limited vision in one eye, she was told she'd have to give up most outdoor sports. Instead, she rediscovered her passion for shooting after joining The Well Armed Woman, where she became a chapter leader.
Katie's commitment is unmatched. She's an alumna of both Babes with Bullets and She Never Quit, a former board member for the Atlanta Conservation Club, and a leader in her field, as the first and only female IDPA match director in Indiana. She has embraced her role as our current vice president.
Vice President
Katie Healy
Katie's life is a constant adventure, shared with her husband, and fueled by a love for traveling, fishing, and shooting. When they aren't exploring new places or enjoying the outdoors, you'll find them enthusiastically cheering on their favorite home teams, with a hearty "Go Michigan!" Her boundless enthusiasm and zest for life are matched only by her deep sense of compassion. A dedicated supporter of the WOMA mission, Katie has attended numerous She Never Quit events, embodying how a vibrant personality and a kind heart can make a real impact. She is our board treasurer.
Treasurer
Maggie Reese Voigt
Maggie Reese Voigt's journey in shooting began as a teenager with her dad's 1911, a start that would lead her to become a professional competition shooter and a multi-time national champion. She has since earned numerous USPSA Multigun Ladies Open titles and several "outlaw" 3-Gun wins. Her expertise and charisma landed her a spot on Season 2 of Top Shot, and she later became a brand ambassador for both Colt and Ruger Firearms. In these roles, she created instructional content that made advanced skills accessible to everyone from beginners to experts.
When she's not on the range, Maggie enjoys hiking with her dogs, Penny and Zeus, and teaching women and new shooters how to build confidence with firearms. As the secretary for WOMA, she is committed to fostering a supportive and empowered community of women in the outdoors.
Secretary
Jill Robinson
When Jill met her husband, Dan, she didn't just find a partner; she found a passion for the outdoors. Together, they've hunted for deer in New York and spent countless hours with their coonhounds, beagles, and foxhounds. A true patriot and the life of the party, Jill's enthusiasm for shooting sports and hunting only intensified after she attended Babes with Bullets and She Never Quit programs. She's since taken her skills to the range, competing in her first 3-gun match. But for all her adventures, the role she holds most dear is being a proud military mom.
Director
Daphane Cassidy
When she's not working as a Content Manager for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Daphane Cassidy is a passionate hunter, conservationist, and shooting sports enthusiast. Her commitment to wildlife and the outdoors has taken her far beyond the U.S. She's hunted and volunteered with the Safari Cares program in South Africa and represents the United States as one of the few American Young Opinion members of The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation.
Director
Rhonda Pitts
When Rhonda Pitts' husband encouraged her to go fishing, she was just looking for some sun. Little did she know, she would become a professional tournament bass angler and a gold medalist at the 2024 Pan American Black Bass World Championship. Rhonda is a true outdoorswoman—when she's not on the water, she's on the range, enjoying her passion for shooting sports with her favorite cowboy pistols and lever-action rifles. We're delighted to have Rhonda as a Director.
Director