Dressember seeks to educate about, advocate against human trafficking
For many, December is synonymous with Christmas and the coming of a new year. It is a month filled with holiday joy, love and celebrations of another year survived.
However, for others, December is a month dedicated to raising awareness about and advocating the end of human trafficking.
Widely regarded as modern-day slavery, human trafficking impacts tens of millions of people all over the world, and the United States is no exception.
Begun in 2009 by Blythe Hill, Dressember is a month long movement wherein women commit to wearing dresses each day of the month and men commit to wearing ties. Wofford student Anne Darby Keating ’22, who participates in the event each year, said that Dressember is “a relatively easy way to stand up for something I believe in.”
Keating said, “By participating in Dressember, I am standing up for the lives and livelihood of people around the world. I have the freedom to wear whatever I want.
By choosing to wear a dress each day of December, I am actively putting someone else’s life and needs in front of my own. I am raising awareness to end all slavery.
Life is a gift. I want to help protect and promote life—that is why I participate in Dressember.”
A strong advocate for and celebrator of life, Keating first discovered the movement through a friend who had been posting about it on social media. After asking for more information, she was pointed to the website and the rest is history.
Due to the fact that most Wofford students and faculty will be at home for the entirety of December, Keating admitted that participating in Dressember will be difficult, but she still plans to participate herself and to encourage others via social media to learn about the movement.
“I still think it is so important to at least learn about movements like Dressember, even if you don’t participate yourself,” Keating said.
“This should be a cause that everyone is passionate about. Slavery—human trafficking—takes away life and freedom. We must protect life.”
