Junior League of Gwinnett & North Fulton Counties to Partake in Little Black Dress Initiative

The Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties, Inc. (JLGNF) is proud to announce their participation in the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) from March 7–11. League members will wear one black dress or ensemble for five consecutive days to raise awareness about the issue of poverty in Georgia.

Originated by the Junior League of London, the LBDI seeks to make “poverty unfashionable” by illustrating the effects of severe financial hardship, low self-esteem and limited access to resources and opportunities for women and children. Advocates will wear a pin that says, “Ask Me About My Dress,” to generate discussion about the initiative and its objectives. Organizations joining the crusade include the Junior Leagues of Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Cobb-Marietta, Columbus, DeKalb County, Douglas County, Gainesville-Hall County, Macon and Savannah. “I am honored and proud that JLGNF is participating in this collaborative state-wide campaign on the impact poverty has on courage and confidence in the workplace,” said Alyson Coffman, president of JLGNF.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, Georgia has one of the highest poverty rates of children in the United States at 26.3 percent. The following statistics typify the severity of this problem in the areas surrounding JLGNF:

- More than 1.8 million Georgians are impoverished.
- 6.3 percent of Forsyth County’s overall population and eight percent of its children are living in poverty.
- 17.4 percent of Fulton County’s overall population and 25.2 percent of its children are living in poverty.
- 13.4 percent of Gwinnett County’s overall population and 19.9 percent of its children are living in poverty.

To exemplify their support for LBDI, JLGNF is partnering with Sweet Repeat Dresses to collect new and gently used prom dresses. Local teens in need can shop for a dress of their choosing during Sweet Repeat Dresses’ semi-annual free dress event. Dress donations will be accepted from 12–3 p.m. on Feb. 20; March 5, 12 and 26; and April 2, 9 and 16 at Sage School on 800 Satellite Blvd. in Suwanee.

About the Junior League of Gwinnett & North Fulton Counties

The Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of women dedicated to voluntarism and committed to developing the potential of women through training, leadership opportunities and service. Its purpose is to strengthen the community by creating and implementing collaborative volunteer projects. JLGNF is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., encompassing more than 150,000 women in 291 Leagues across four countries.

Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, JLGNF contributed over 900 hours of service in the surrounding areas of North Fulton, Gwinnett and South Forsyth during the previous league year. JLGNF is able to increase their impact through collaborative partnerships with organizations including Girl Talk, Girls on the Run of North Georgia, Jesse’s House and Rainbow Village. To learn more, visit www.jlgnf.org