Junior League of Albany Makes More than a Fashion Statement in Current Initiative
CAPITAL REGION – “This campaign is one that is near and dear to my heart.”
So stated Jessica Yulan Rubino, who serves as VP for Community at the Junior League of Albany. “This year myself and the rest of The Junior League of Albany have been charged with bringing the campaign of “The Little Black Dress” to Albany. Little Black Dress is a week long campaign bringing to light issues that impoverished women and children are facing in the Capital Region on a daily basis.”
Jessica reached out to her friends on social media – bringing light to a campaign that I have to admit I had no idea was happening. And so, I figure that perhaps you don’t either. Well, its worth learning about. For the campaign, and the time to act, is happening right now.
The short course is that during the week of February 26-March 2, the Junior League of Albany, Inc. is launching its first ever Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI), a campaign to raise awareness for the challenges that face the over 3 million New Yorkers living in poverty. Poverty means living without the financial support to adequately cover shelter, healthcare, food and other essential necessities.
During this week, Junior League of Albany members are demonstrating the limits that poverty can play on citizens in our local community by wearing the same black dress for five working days.
The goals are simple, yet extremely important here in The Capital Region, where no community has immunity from pockets of poverty:
• Raise awareness of the difficulties facing those who are in need and have few resources;
• Understand how limited resources can affect daily life; and
• Raise funds to support the mission of the JLA and to help us continue to provide funding, volunteer opportunities, and support to the local organizations we work with to alleviate and
eliminate hunger and improve wellness among women and children in the Albany area.
The LBDI was established by the Junior League of London in 2014. During London Fashion week, the members of Junior League of London wore the same black dress each day to help raise funds and increase awareness of poverty in the city. The LBDI was such a success, the League called on other Junior League chapters to join the cause.
“We are so excited to bring the Little Black Dress Initiative to the Capital Region after its continued success around the world. Our members are advocates for positive change in the community, and the LBDI will help us do that as part of our mission” said Junior League of Albany President, Carol Crummey McCardle.
Locally, the Initiative has adopted the hashtag #AwarenessIsTheNewBlack, and if you go to the participant page, you will find a black dressed regiment of 45 strong women, united visually perhaps, but bonded more in their hearts and emotional commitment.
“We are so pleased by the response from the community to our LBDI campaign.” said Lisa Walters, Junior League of Albany’s VP for Fund Development. “Together, we are working to help break the cycle of poverty and help local women and children live their most productive and meaningful lives.”
**************************************
Looking over the roster of team LBDI, they have a strong, diverse cross-section of the leaders of our society today – and I think that chances are good you will recognize a few, if not several. Or else it means that you need to get out more.
In that vein, the JLA is inviting everyone to join them in an easy / peasy way to participate and donate at what is being billed as “culminating event” – kind of a post-event celebration, I would imagine, on Friday, March 2 – 5-7 pm, at dp An American Brasserie (25 Chapel St, Albany) – event page here – in which a nice 35 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Black Dress team and JLA programs. Should be pretty festive…
**************************************
For this journalist, a merciful while ago, but never so long ago as I will forget – I wore the black dress for real.
Except it was a pair of khakis – Old Navy actually. I was down to that last one – which I made a point of telling people they “…fit so good I bought 4 pair!”
…but in truth, there was only one.
In the hope that no one has to be this way, these women are wearing their black dress today, like my khakis then.
With purpose. And, with dignity.
This is much more than a fashion statement. This is worthy of your attention. Thank you, Jessica, for bringing it to mine…
Visit the Junior League of Albany on Facebook
Arthur Gonick
February 28, 2018
