When I began this new chapter of my life, I created a new list of goals for myself, and one of these goals was to try to make an impact on the world (yeah, I know… that’s a BIG goal!). I’ve always been passionate about human rights, and I wanted to find a way to help people around the world. The hardest part was feeling like I was too small and insignificant to make a real difference. Plus, I had no idea where to start. After checking out different campus organizations, I was introduced to the International Justice Mission (IJM). Clemson’s IJM chapter finally gave me, an eighteen-year-old college freshman, a chance to fight against human trafficking.
It was IJM who introduced me to Dressember, a way I could help make a big impact with such a simple action. Every year, both men and women join the Dressember Foundation and challenge themselves to wear a dress or tie every day for the month of December. The dresses and ties serve as “conversation starters to help educate your community about modern slavery.” Since 2013, the Dressember Foundation has had real impact and raised over 7.5 million dollars to fund anti-trafficking work around the world! Luckily, Clemson has a team, so I can join and contribute this year. This was so exciting to learn about because I finally felt like I could make a difference in my community. All I had to do was look pretty and talk to people! (Two of my favorite things!)
I hope that readers like you are inspired to take the challenge and help make a difference! Be sure to visit the Dressember Foundation Website to the ways you can get involved! Check out campus organizations to see if there’s a team already created for you to join. This December you can fight modern slavery and make an impact on our world. #YouCanDoAnythingInADress