THE HISTORY OF THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS INITIATIVE 

The Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is a social media-driven awareness and fundraising campaign started by the Junior League of London to raise awareness about poverty and its effects on women’s lives. 

Since its launch in London in 2014, more than 80 Junior Leagues have participated in LBDI, raising tens of thousands of dollars and awareness about their particular community work focus, i.e., domestic violence, human trafficking, literacy, food insecurity. 

LBDI advocates wear the same black dress (or outfit) for five consecutive days to illustrate the restrictions poverty places on choices, opportunities, and access to resources. Each advocate normally wears a button that says “ask me about my dress”, inviting dialogue among colleagues, friends, and strangers about this initiative’s message. Advocates also engage on social media, sharing statistics, information, and their experiences throughout the period. Messaging includes a soft ask for donations to support the cause. 

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WASHINGTON’S 3RD ANNUAL LBDI IS UNDERWAY

Washington, DC is one of the most powerful cities in the world, yet far too many of our friends and neighbors in the nation’s capital are living in poverty.  In fact,16.2% of DC residents live in poverty – which is 3.9% above the national average. The largest demographic living in poverty is women aged 25 – 34, followed by women aged 18 – 24. 

Even more staggering, 23% of minors, and 24.36% of families in Washington, DC’s Ward 8, live below the poverty line, and 39% of children live in households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing (a proportion of income only surpassed in California and New York). When families must spend significant proportions of their incomes on housing, it leaves their budgets pinched for other household necessities like food, health, out-of-school time, transportation, and other important expenses.

This is why the Junior League of Washington (JLW) is putting time and resources into combatting this issue, by once again launching the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI), February 20 – 24, 2023. LBDI is about more than wearing your favorite black outfit; it is about raising awareness and resources for our neighbors and community members impacted by poverty. Your donation to LBDI goes towards the Community Assistance Fund (CAF) and JLW programming and initiatives designed to support the Washington, DC Community.

Want to support LBDI? Little Black Dress Initiative is taking place from Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24, 2023.

You can contribute to our efforts by making a donation here. Stay tuned for more information about LBDI and ways to support this year’s fundraising effort.

For questions, please email us at littleblackdress@jlw.org.