Have you heard of Dressember?
I first heard of it a few years back and have watched as it gained more and more momentum. In just three years as a campaign, what started as one woman’s personal challenge has become an international movement in which thousands of women have come together and raised more than $1.5 million; so far the amount of women who participate and the money raised has DOUBLED each year!
This year, I’m diving in alongside a team of amazing women!
So, what is it?
Dressember is a unique and creative challenge for women to wear a dress every day for the month of December in an effort to raise awareness and funds to fight for the millions of oppressed women and children caught in the horrors of sex trafficking and modern day slavery (the statistics are truly appalling). The Dressember fundraising campaign partners with International Justice Mission (IJM) and A21, two incredible organizations that are doing phenomenal things to rescue and restore those being victimized (be sure to check out their sites as well)! Here is the full story and TED Talk on how it all began.
Here’s why I’m excited…
- I’m a stay-at-home mom. Being at home is my greatest calling and a worthy pursuit, but there are times I look out at the world and feel so far removed. I hear the news and see story after story of heartbreaking injustices splashed across social media and so desperately want to do something – anything – to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. There are things I can’t do during these little years, but I CAN wear a dress for 31 days. It’s outside my jeans-loving comfort zone, but it is a tangible way I can stand in unity with thousands of other women (and men) around the world and maybe “little ‘ol me” can hold out my hand with some small offering to those in circumstances I can’t even imagine.
- I can model for my children what it means to fight for people. We’ve already had some brief conversations about what I’m going to do but there will be a stark and notable contrast in my physical appearance to them this month and I hope that resonates deeply. We’ll have ongoing opportunities for conversation and I can’t wait to hear their thoughts!
- What an amazing time of year to shift the focus from consumption to compassion.
- I have a two year old daughter…she’ll be joining the challenge with me…need I say more?!
Want to get Involved?
This movement really is contagious and as I’ve experienced, it’s hard to hear about such a powerful community and not want to participate in some way!
Had I thought to post this earlier, I would have invited you all to join our team (Next year! Tuck that away in preparation, wink, wink). In the meantime, I would LOVE for you to check out the different sites and stories I’ve linked above and if you are moved like I’ve been, please consider donating!!! You can donate to our team page or my personal page, either way PLEASE comment that you’re there via Madison Moms Blog because I know we have an amazing community here and I’d love to share with you what YOU raised together!
From their website: “What began…as a quirky style challenge with a clever name spread like wildfire. Dressember is a month of wearing dresses, but it is so much more. At its core, Dressember is an embracing of the inherent freedom and feminity of all women.”
Join the movement! #dressember #itsmorethanadress
