About Hiding Hilda

Welcome to Hiding Hilda!  Thank you for visiting and taking steps to Be Your Own Hero!

Hiding Hilda was born out of the want of style and the need for protection.  I (Dawn Hillyer) didn't start shooting for sport,  it was out of fear.  Being truly afraid for not only my life, but my children's lives - I had to take the necessary steps to protect us from a relentless stalker. The ordeal began in October of 2006, McClellan was eventually sentenced to 2 Felony Stalking charges and 10 years in prison in March of 2012.  Yes, 6 long years with no peace. 

While going through the ordeal I kept a low profile. (As low as I could being in sales and marketing).  During that time, everything was under HidingHilda. Hiding – what I was doing at the time, and Hilda – Hillyer, Dawn.  If someone would have told me Hiding Hilda would be a thing I wouldn't have believed them. 

I needed to get my life back, and I needed to Be My Own Hero. I needed to be able to protect myself and my family.

Fast Forward...Hilda is the name of my first gun, Hilda help me take control of my safety and my life.

Now, I'm still Hiding Hilda, but now I'm living out loud!  HH is a part of who I am. 

When I first started carrying concealed, I couldn't find a good, fashionable - yet discreet way to conceal my firearm.  I was in a professional office and didn't live in a waistband.  Furthermore, there was a no firearm policy I was breaking.  I couldn't under any circumstances imprint, nor could I get any work done if I didn't carry protection.  Firearm Instructors emphasize the importance of practice and muscle retention.  It was counterintuitive to me to carry in different locations on-body, just so I would be carrying on body.  I couldn't draw as efficiently in different locations, clothes were everywhere, and for me, it just wasn't comfortable. 

Not only that, but in Indiana it gets cold, and it requires layers.  By the time I had am ready to walk out the door, I had 3 layers on minimum making it deep concealment. Much harder to get to my firearm if I needed it.  To the contrary, in the right conceal carry purse, I could literally walk in the parking lot with my hand on my firearm (Hilda), and after some practice, got very efficient at drawing.  

Purse carry is not for everyone, everything has pros & cons.  If you are going to carry a gun in a purse, carry wisely.  Remember you are responsible.

If you're someone who leaves your purse sitting around, in grocery carts, exposed, you should not carry in a purse.  If you hold your purse in your finger tips while your head is buried in your phone, you should not carry in a purse.

Purse snatchers want easy targets, don't be one.  Carry your purse securely.  Crossbody, sling or securely under arm is most effective.  Most purse snatchers want just that - your purse, but they do not want a fight, don't want recognized, just snatch and run. If your purse does get stole, make the proper police reports and take appropriate next steps.

Remember, Protective Orders are a piece of paper, and the Police can’t be there to protect you all the time.  If you make the decision to carry, then awesome!  We promote ongoing training, ladies shooting groups, and encourage practice, so you can BE YOUR OWN HERO!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2020/10/16/as-women-rush-to-obtain-concealed-carry-firearms-permits-female-entrepreneurs-help-cloak-their-guns-and-worries/#26f8dfdf76d0

https://wpta21.com/news/top-stories/2018/11/19/fort-wayne-woman-turns-experience-with-a-stalker-into-opportunity-to-help-others/?fbclid=IwAR1_4fGaRp7k4efaXOwlw4TIyP85jYrytrXhQn8TlVdUivnxnTCGUv4fImk

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/03/08/show-highlights-fashionable-ways-to-safely-conceal-guns/
http://wane.com/2015/01/03/stalking-victim-wants-to-help-women-protect-themselves/


My case was the Season 4 Premiere of “Stalked: Someone’s Watching” the episode was titled “Twist of Hate” It originally aired on December 14th, 2014. And I was interviewed by Katie Couric, also in December 2014. My goal is to encourage and empower women to protect themselves. You have the right to protect yourself.

I’m so thankful to be able to help empower women and take safety and protection into their own hands.  I couldn’t do this without the help and support of my Husband, Mom, Kids, Family, and Friends.

I couldn't do any of this with out my husband, mom, children, friends and family. 

Thank you for reading and welcome to the family ❤️

Dawn Hillyer