Purple is in this May, with a series of purple-themed events to kick off National Go Purple Awareness Month. Campaigns such as Rock the Purple and Pretty in Purple are working to raise awareness for the prevention of domestic abuse and dating violence.
Rock the Purple
Rock the Purple is a Purple Ribbon Council Concert for a Cause sponsored by participating Hard Rock Cafés. The event started a year ago in 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona, and is scheduled for three cities this year. The concert is open to the public and will be accepting donations to support children who have lost a parent to domestic violence and to support the Purple Ribbon Council’s prevention and empowerment projects. Local bands, musicians, and stylists will be in attendance, with stylists working to create a “sea of purple” by offering purple SO.CAP International hair extensions.
“Purple Ribbon Council is going into the heart of communities to engage everyday people in awareness,” says Donna Bartos, founder of the Purple Ribbon Council. “May is our National Go Purple Awareness month, we have designed events that will help raise money needed for our prevention and outreach work, as well as mobilize new ambassadors for the cause.”
Pretty in Purple
Through the Pretty in Purple campaign, salons across the country can participate in the effort to raise awareness and dollars benefiting the Council’s Purple Ribbon Fund for Children. Pretty in Purple is a grassroots campaign that rallies stylists and salon professionals to help break the silence, break the cycle, and save lives.
Domestic violence kills an average of four women every day, leaving thousands of children without parents. One in three teens are also abused each year as a result of dating violence.
Stylists can work to change these statistics. Stylists and spa professionals are some of the most trusted people in a community; sometimes, the salon is a safe haven for the victims of unhealthy relationships. Salon and spa professionals can help clients in a non-threatening environment by raising awareness and bringing hope, healing, and happiness to children who are orphaned due to domestic homicide.
Purple Ribbon Fund for Children
Fundraising for the Purple Ribbon Fund for Children gives stylists the opportunity to provide financial assistance, supportive care, grief support and advocacy to these children. The efforts don’t stop at fundraising; stylists can also raise awareness and educate their clients on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to domestic violence.
“As the father of two daughters and brother to two sisters, it’s important to me to spread awareness,” says Patrick Mclvor, National Ambassador and Spokesperson/Matrix Artistic Director. “There are many women who don’t know where to turn for help. The special relationship we as salon professionals have with our guests and clients gives us the unique opportunity to help raise awareness and break the silence and cycle to cut out domestic abuse.”
To find out how you and your salon can work for change, visit the Pretty in Purple website.
