The first time I really heard the phrase, human trafficking, was in 2012 when I took a trip to the Passion conference in Atlanta, Georgia. From that time on, I’ve learned from organizations, specifically Richmond Justice Initiative here in my home city, about what this industry is and how it’s impacting communities around the world. Based on a definition from the Polaris Project, “Human Trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit. In some cases, traffickers trick, defraud or physically force victims into selling sex. In others, victims are lied to, assaulted, threatened or manipulated into working under inhumane, illegal or otherwise unacceptable conditions.”. There are millions of people being affected and often times we think, “it couldn’t be happening where I live”, but the gruesome reality is that it is. And with that reality, organizations like Dressember and many others, are working towards raising awareness and making real change each year.

It’s now a favorite part of my December to join in on the annual challenge called Dressember. Founded over 12 years ago, the organization and campaign was created to raise awareness to fight human trafficking, fundraise, and partner with other organizations in healing communities and survivors of abuse.

Before we get to an interview with Dressember founder, Blythe Hill, I want to share what I love about this campaign. I’ve known about the organization and mission for a few years but this is only my 2nd year participating in the full challenge — wear a dress (or tie) every day for the month of December and fundraise alongside this community. Dressing up every day for a month may sound like a small act, but it makes an impact when thousands of people are doing it around the world in hopes to make a difference when someone asks the question, “Why are you so dressed up?”. It gives an opportunity for those of us who may not be able to have conversations about the cause with those around us — someone at the grocery store, a family member, coworker, close friend.

And when you do something in solidarity with other people, there are going to be ripple affects. I love Dressember because you get to be a part of something bigger — a global impact that truly inspires and creates change. This year so far, the organization has already raised over a million dollars. That’s going to make a huge impact on what they and other partner organizations are going to be able to do over this next year to work against the affects of COVID-19 on so many communities, help rehabilitate abuse survivors and find new ways of educating in schools and other programs around the world. You can read more about their funds through their 2019-2020 Annual Report.

Below, you’ll find an interview with Dressember founder, Blythe Hill, where she answers a few questions about the campaign and why we should get involved now and throughout the year. Enjoy the interview!

the interview—

Your campaign is so accessible for others to make an impact but a lot of people ask... why dresses?

I started wearing a dress every day in December in 2009, without any fundraising or campaign element attached to it— it was purely for fun, and honestly, it wasn't something I planned to do annually. In 2010, some of my friends wanted me to do it again so that they could join in. In 2011, some of my friends' friends wanted to join in, and at that point— when people I didn't know personally wanted to join in— I realized there might be potential for this silly style challenge to be something more. In 2013, I aligned Dressember the style challenge with an issue I'd been passionate about for years, and wondered whether we could raise a few thousand dollars, or whether it'd totally flop. We ended up raising over six times my goal, $165,000 USD, and at that point I realized it was a much better idea than I'd imagined. So, it wasn't that I chose to start a dress-wearing campaign with anti-trafficking, but it is interesting to have conversations with people about what dresses symbolize to them, and how that can be leveraged (or in some cases, reclaimed as a previously oppressive symbol) in this fight for the dignity of women around the world.

How did you first get involved with raising awareness and fighting human trafficking?

I first learned about human trafficking around 2005 after reading an article about the sex industry across India. I was horrified, and felt a sense of urgency I'd never felt before. I began looking for ways to get involved, and kept hitting walls— I wasn't qualified to help at the level that I wanted to, and didn't have a ton of money to donate. For years, I felt so passionate about this issue and also super powerless. When Dressember grew as a style challenge, it occurred to me that I might be able to use it as a way to raise money and awareness for this cause I cared so much about. That was really my first foray into raising awareness and fighting trafficking.

What is your hope for a conversation that happens when someone asks, “Why are you so dressed up this month?”

This is absolutely what happens! It's a light hearted and fun entry point to a heavy conversation, so you can bounce back and forth depending on how the person is responding. I usually say something like, "I'm doing Dressember! I've committed to wearing a dress/tie every day this month as a way to start conversations about human trafficking, spread awareness, and raise vital funding for anti-trafficking work. Are you familiar with human trafficking?"

I think people naturally underestimate the power of one on one conversations in spreading awareness and information; it's just as important to raise awareness as it is to raise money for this work.

What ways are you and your team going to dress up when life looks so different this year? Any tips for those participating?

This is my 12th year doing Dressember! For the first time, I've decided to wear a tie every day in December, both because it's something new and attention grabbing, and also because it's super Zoom-friendly, which is where most people see me these days! My tip is to just jump in and have fun with it! You can figure it out on the way and adjust and be as creative as you want. Some people wear the same dress all month!

Have there been big revelations to fighting human trafficking this year that have come to light because of COVID-19?

COVID has had a devastating impact on trafficking. It's put the majority of survivors within the Dressember Network in crisis, as many have lost their jobs and lack the safety net that so many of us take for granted. It's also maybe those who were most vulnerable, most at-risk of being trafficked before this even more vulnerable. It's disconnected a lot of us and because we all spend so much time online, children are more accessible than ever to traffickers who use the internet and social media to groom and lure children. There's been a huge surge in calls to the National Trafficking Hotline, as well as regional hotlines, for safe housing and intervention help. This issue is always urgent, but now more than ever, we need to step up and help those in crisis.

Favorite outfit you’re looking forward to wearing for Dressember? (Could be a brand, sentimental value of an outfit, etc.)

I'm excited for a month of ties! I've never done it before, nor have I historically been much of a tie wearer in general. But I've purchased a few ribbon tie/brooches from an Etsy seller I found (My Flower Art), and I'm excited to wear those and style them in different ways. There's a big black and white one in particular that reminds me so much of Moira Rose, so I'm excited to channel her for at least one look.

Last, but not least… So we participate in Dressember, how can we stay involved after the month? 

Now that the month has started, I always tell people who are just learning about it that it's not too late to join! Even if it's Dec 29th, you can still jump in and end the year by making an impact and shedding light on this issue! Also, we continue the campaign into January since January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month in the US. We also started opening the Dressember campaign in Feb/March so that people can sign up at any point and dedicate their birthday to the cause, or come up with another attention grabbing challenge as a way to raise money (like running a 5K in a dress, for example).

so how can you get involved —

1. Join In! It’s never too late to participate in Dressember! Like Blythe says above, it’s never too late to join in! Whenever you’re reading this, you can participate in the challenge by simply dressing up each day. Tell a few of your friends or co-workers and share what you’ve learned!

   *Follow along with Dressember on Instagram

2. Donate! Funds go to many different places as donations are being taken this month and after. A few of those places are trauma therapy, trial fees, awareness training and other care expenses.. You can donate through the regular donation page here. Or if you want to contribute, The Good Wear is working to raise $200 this year alongside so many other’s fundraising. You can donate through the campaign page here!

3. Keep learning! It’s always important for us to keep searching for new information on what is going on in the world around us. So learning and advocating against human trafficking doesn’t stop in December. Follow along with organizations doing important work like Dressember, A21, International Justice Mission (IJM) and Polaris Project. Is there a local organization in your town or city that works with trafficking awareness, education or rehabilitation? If you’re in Richmond, check out the Richmond Justice Initiative.
   Check out Blythe Hill’s Ted Talk “How a Dress Can Change the World” below —