Little Black Dress Initiative: February 15, 2021 – February 19, 2021
Little Black Dress Initiative 2021
February 15-19
2021 Events:
February 8: Virtual Charcuterie Board Class with Springfield Charcuterie
February 22-26: “Give It Up” Campaign
WHAT IS THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS INITIATIVE?
The Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is a global initiative started by the Junior League of London to raise awareness of the impact of generational poverty. The third annual Junior League of Springfield, MO LBDI was February 17-21, 2020. During this week, JLS members wore the same little black dress for five consecutive days to illustrate the effects poverty can have on a woman’s access to resources, her confidence, and her professional opportunities. By wearing a button that reads “Ask me About my Dress,” members invited and welcomed dialogue among colleagues, friends, and strangers to raise awareness about generational poverty.
JLS members participating in our LBD initiative
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. Donate to the cause! Funds raised by LBDI support the JLS Annual Fund, which support our many community projects. Stay tuned for info about our 2021 LBDI plans!
2. PARTNER with us! We would love for you or your place of business to join us in wearing your own little black dress! Info coming soon for our 2021 partners!
PARTNER WITH US HERE!
HOW WILL YOUR DONATION HELP?
This initiative will help us advocate for poverty awareness and support our mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. In addition, JLS collaborates with many organizations and projects that help support those affected by generational poverty including:
- Community Summit: Focus on Poverty
- Ozarks Food Harvest
- Laura’s Home
- Isabel’s House, started as a Signature Project of JLS
- Rare Breed Youth Services
- Habitat for Humanity: Women Build
- Robberson Community School Collaboration
WHAT IS GENERATIONAL POVERTY? Generational poverty occurs in families where at least two generations have been born into poverty. Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest threats to healthy child development. Poverty and financial stress can impede a child’s cognitive development and their ability to learn. The poverty rate in Springfield has steadily increased in recent years and now affects nearly 25 percent of Springfield residents – this is a higher rate than Chicago or Washington, D.C. JLS is committed to eradicating generational poverty in Greene County, and through efforts like LBDI, we as an organization are able to provide critical education on this issue and help raise money to effect change.
