One Dress. One Year.

1. Wearing the same dress for a year challenges perceptions and raises awareness about human trafficking

From January 11, 2012, to January 10, 2013, I wore the same black dress every day. It was my way of raising awareness about and money to help end human trafficking across the globe.

The power of a simple idea. Bethany Winz's decision to wear the same dress for an entire year was a bold and unconventional approach to raising awareness about human trafficking. This project, dubbed "The Dress Project," served as a visual representation of the limited choices faced by victims of trafficking.

Impact and reach. Throughout the year, Bethany used her blog and social media platforms to share daily outfit photos, trafficking statistics, and information about organizations working to combat this global issue. By the end of the project, she had raised over $6,000 for various anti-trafficking organizations and sparked countless conversations about modern-day slavery.

Challenges and adaptations. Wearing the same dress every day presented numerous practical challenges, including:

• Maintaining the dress through wear, tear, and accidental damage
• Creatively styling the dress for different occasions and weather conditions
• Explaining the project to curious strangers and skeptics

2. Personal transformation often accompanies efforts to change the world

The Dress Project was a way that a high school girl helped raise money for organizations that are bringing freedom to people worldwide. During that year, though, I also discovered how much I needed the freedom God can bring.

Unexpected journey of self-discovery. What began as a project to raise awareness about human trafficking evolved into a profound personal journey for Bethany. Throughout the year, she grappled with issues of identity, self-worth, and faith.

Shifting perspectives. The project challenged Bethany to confront her own biases and assumptions about:

• The nature of freedom and oppression
• The complexities of global issues
• Her own motivations for activism and service

Growth through discomfort. The daily act of wearing the dress pushed Bethany out of her comfort zone, forcing her to:

• Develop greater self-awareness
• Confront her own insecurities and limitations
• Deepen her understanding of empathy and compassion

3. Perfectionism and self-worth struggles can hinder meaningful activism

I want to believe that. I need to believe that. It's been two long months of struggling with these dark feelings. This fight against shame—the voice that is constantly telling me that I am not enough—has been eating away at me.

The pressure of expectations. Bethany's desire to make a significant impact through The Dress Project often collided with her perfectionist tendencies, leading to:

• Feelings of inadequacy when fundraising goals weren't met
• Self-doubt about the effectiveness of her advocacy
• Anxiety about public perception and judgment

Confronting inner demons. The project forced Bethany to confront deep-seated issues related to:

• Body image and self-esteem
• The need for external validation
• The relationship between personal worth and accomplishments

Learning to embrace imperfection. Over time, Bethany began to recognize that her imperfections and struggles could actually strengthen her message and connect her more authentically with others.

4. Social media and public attention bring both opportunities and challenges

As the week goes on, I remember one more organization I have run across in the past few months: Restore International. It has a leadership academy in Uganda. It also helps to house girls coming out of sex trafficking in Uganda and fights to free girls from slavery in India. A few days later, I add brief descriptions of each organization to the page so that people have the information they need when deciding which organization to give to.

Amplifying the message. Social media platforms provided Bethany with powerful tools to:

• Share daily outfit photos and project updates
• Disseminate information about human trafficking
• Connect with supporters and anti-trafficking organizations

Navigating online challenges. The public nature of the project exposed Bethany to:

• Criticism and negative comments
• The pressure to constantly produce content and engage followers
• The need to balance transparency with personal boundaries

Building meaningful connections. Despite the challenges, social media allowed Bethany to:

• Collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations
• Receive encouragement and support from a global community
• Directly impact the lives of trafficking survivors through fundraising efforts

5. Health issues and body image concerns complicate the journey of self-discovery

I can't believe it's Thursday—the last day of camp. I push my hair behind my ear and study the damp sand underneath me. Morgan's head is right next to mine. Water creeps up under our knees and deposits tiny clams onto the sand in front of us. As soon as they settle, they wriggle furiously into the ground.

Unexpected health challenges. Throughout the year, Bethany struggled with various health issues, including:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Psoriasis
• Hormonal imbalances affecting mood and energy levels

Body image and self-acceptance. The project forced Bethany to confront her relationship with her body, dealing with:

• Unwanted facial hair growth due to PCOS
• The physical and emotional toll of wearing the same garment daily
• The pressure to present a certain image on social media

Finding moments of joy. Despite these challenges, Bethany learned to find joy in simple moments, like watching tiny clams on the beach with her friends. These experiences helped her:

• Gain perspective on her struggles
• Appreciate the support of her loved ones
• Reconnect with her sense of wonder and curiosity

6. Building a support network is crucial for sustaining long-term advocacy efforts

As the music fades and our dance comes to an end, the room erupts in applause. Mrs. Kim addresses the crowd again. "Most of you know that I've asked you to donate to Bethany's dress project for my birthday. She's going to share more details about her journey in a few minutes, but thank you in advance for your gifts."

The power of community. Throughout the year, Bethany relied heavily on the support of:

• Family members who provided emotional and practical assistance
• Friends who offered encouragement and participated in awareness events
• Mentors and faith leaders who provided guidance and perspective

Collaborative fundraising. Bethany's project inspired others to get involved, as demonstrated by:

• Mrs. Kim's birthday fundraiser for The Dress Project
• Youth group donations and awareness events
• Partnerships with anti-trafficking organizations

Sustaining motivation. The support network played a crucial role in helping Bethany:

• Stay committed to the project during difficult times
• Celebrate milestones and small victories
• Amplify her message and expand her reach

7. Perseverance through doubt and discouragement leads to personal growth

I know Jesus died to redeem me, but it's difficult to believe that when I don't see any changes in myself, when there is so much I still don't like about myself. I feel like I've failed in so many ways this year.

Confronting self-doubt. Throughout the year, Bethany grappled with:

• Feelings of inadequacy and failure
• Questioning the impact and effectiveness of her project
• Struggling to maintain motivation and enthusiasm

Faith as an anchor. Bethany's Christian faith played a significant role in helping her:

• Find meaning and purpose in her struggles
• Develop resilience and perseverance
• Reframe her understanding of success and worth

Embracing the journey. As the project progressed, Bethany began to recognize that:

• Personal growth often comes through challenges and discomfort
• Imperfections and setbacks can be valuable learning experiences
• The process of advocacy is just as important as the outcomes

8. Small actions can make a significant impact in the fight against injustice

I can't believe Bob wrote me back and told me to call him. When are you going to call? I don't know. He said to call him anytime, so maybe tomorrow or Wednesday. I want to think about what I'm going to say.

The ripple effect of individual actions. Bethany's project demonstrated how small, consistent actions can lead to significant impact:

• Daily social media posts raised awareness among thousands of followers
• Conversations sparked by the dress project educated others about trafficking
• Fundraising efforts, even in small amounts, supported anti-trafficking organizations

Inspiring others to act. Bethany's commitment inspired those around her to take action:

• Friends and family members organized fundraisers and awareness events
• Strangers reached out to offer support and get involved
• Youth groups and churches invited Bethany to speak about her project

Building relationships with changemakers. Bethany's persistence in reaching out to influential figures like Bob Goff led to:

• Valuable mentorship and guidance
• Increased visibility for her project
• Connections with established anti-trafficking organizations

9. Balancing passion and self-care is essential for effective activism

Sometimes it takes me time to process an event before I can really talk about it. It takes time to sort through the lies I've begun to believe about myself. More than anything, though, I just want to get past this whole ordeal. I don't want to have to think about what happened or the upheaval of emotions it has created. I don't want to talk about it with anyone. I just want to forget about it.

The emotional toll of advocacy. Bethany's experience highlighted the importance of self-care in activism:

• Constant exposure to difficult topics can lead to emotional burnout
• The pressure to maintain a public persona can be exhausting
• Personal struggles can be exacerbated by the demands of advocacy work

Learning to set boundaries. Throughout the year, Bethany had to develop strategies for:

• Taking breaks from social media and public engagement
• Processing difficult emotions and experiences
• Maintaining a sense of privacy and personal life

Integrating self-care into activism. Bethany discovered the importance of:

• Nurturing supportive relationships
• Engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation
• Recognizing and celebrating small victories and personal growth

Last updated: November 23, 2024