International Justice Mission - Dressember

DRESSEMBER: It's a challenge for girls to wear a dress every day for the month of December, to spread awareness about human trafficking and to raise funds for International Justice Mission.

"How does wearing a dress every day make a difference? Well, in and of itself, it doesn't. However, like tying a string around your finger, like posting a sticky note on your mirror, like writing down a list, it keeps something in the forefront of your mind. 

Every morning, when I look in my closet and inwardly groan at the thought of wearing a dress when the wind is howling around the corners of the house and white snow covers the ground, I am also reminded to be thankful that I am a free woman choosing what I want to wear....who will then drive to work in my car, where I will spend my day as a project manager instead of selling my body to men who affection lasts a moment....who will come home every evening to a warm house and husband who loves me.  

And I will remember that justice isn't the norm around the world. That not every woman has a loving family and a caring husband. That not every little girl has a childhood where her innocence is preserved. That not every young teen has a chance to go to school and dream of college. That not every mother rocking her baby to sleep can smile at that child's future.
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are," wrote Benjamin Franklin.  

This Christmas, consider donating to IJM. It doesn't have to be a lot....even $5 or $10 helps. And as you sit in front of your Christmas tree, with your family around you, your gifts waiting to be opened, and your dignity and freedom intact, you'll know that a woman somewhere around the world is being given a chance to experience justice, love, and hope this Christmas." -Bethany Arnoldbik (my sister)

WHO WE ARE:

 

We are five sisters who are passionate about combating human trafficking. We hope that by wearing a dress every day for the month of December (Dressemeber.net), we can stand out and make a difference: and through making a difference, we can encourage others to stand up against human trafficking and other forms of oppression.

31 days of December + 5 sisters = 155 Dresses

Through the Dressember Challenge, we are trying to raise $5,000 for IJM ($1,000 for each sister).

WHAT IS DRESSEMBER?

Women a-dress-ing social justice in the 21st century.

The mission of Dressember is to put a stop to one of the greatest social injustices of our time. Dressember participants wear dresses every day during the month of December to celebrate the freedom of beauty and femininity that they're allowed, and to raise awareness and funds on behalf of those who aren't free to live vibrant, autonomous lives. One hundred percent of the funds raised during Dressember will go directly to International Justice Mission, a human rights organization that has worked tirelessly for over 15 years to bring rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and violent oppression. Together, we can make a lasting global impact.

WHAT IS IJM?

International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to ensure that public justice systems - police, courts and laws - effectively protect the poor. 

Will you join us in fighting for human rights?

All text © 2013 From the Ashes| All Images © 2013  From the Ashes