The Junior League of Owensboro is continuing its mission to strengthen women’s empowerment as they enter the third year of the annual Little Black Dress Initiative, focusing this year on homelessness among women and children. Participants will wear the same black dress for five consecutive days Monday-Friday next week to illustrate “the limitations to freedoms and opportunities that homelessness brings with it.”
During the campaign, League members will use their personal social media platforms and email to post a picture of their dress each day, along with information about the issue of homelessness and a link to the campaign site where supporters can make donations.
“In 2020, nearly 54,000 families in the United States experienced homelessness in one night,” said Brandi Keller, president of the local Junior League chapter. “In Kentucky, nearly 24,000 school-aged children are housing insecure, and 1 in 14 children under age 6 are experiencing homelessness. This trauma can lead to inadequate nutrition and declining educational performance, and can take tolls on the mental health of both children and parents. Our goal in this campaign is to call local attention to this issue.”
Despite the pandemic, the League was able run their Little Black Dress campaign in January 2021 since the campaign is driven primarily by social media and online networks. Last year, they raised more than $6,000 for New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services in support of victims and survivors of sexual violence.
“Limiting my wardrobe to a single dress for the week was frustrating, and by the end of the week I was self-conscious and uncomfortable,” said League member Jessica Weafer. “And that was a brief experience losing one small freedom. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to have my sense of safety and sanctuary so limited. It was truly an eye-opening experience.”
All funds raised through this year’s campaign will benefit My Sister’s Keeper, a new emergency shelter for women and children in Daviess County. Local radio host Angel Welsh is the founder and director of My Sister’s Keeper, which is expected to open this year.
