What started out as a personal fashion challenge to wear a dress every day the month of December, turned into an international organization and effort to combat human trafficking. Blythe Hill was deeply troubled by the rising problem of human trafficking but felt lost about how she could help without some kind of legal or social work background. Her passions included fashion, trends, and blogging, and she could not see how these skills would aide in the fight to end human trafficking. As she was asked about her fashion challenge, she began to realize the impact such choices could have. What we wear is an expression to the world and Blythe realized she could harness this to do good. Friends began to join her in the challenge and Blythe decided this was how she would get involved. Dressember was born with the goal of starting conversations to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. Soon there were participants from all over the world wearing a dress every day the month of December to raise awareness about human trafficking. The organization has now raised 16 million dollars and as over a million donors and advocates.
The Dressember Foundation partners with other organizations around the world, such International Justice Mission, who use the money raised by Dressember. Blythe saw a problem in the world and used her unique interests and skill set to make a difference through a new and unconventional way.
Blythe Hill is a perfect example of a person recognizing they had a platform, no matter how small, and using it to bring attention to an issue greater than themselves!