Deciding what to wear to class is a dilemma many students face each morning. For Liz Held, an Ohio University sophomore studying photojournalism, a single black dress will be the answer for more than 350 more days.
Held has pledged to wear the same article of clothing every day for a year in an effort to raise awareness about sex trafficking.
“Most people think this only happens in other countries,” Held said. “It’s so taboo, people just don’t want to hear about it.”
In reality, sex trafficking — a modern kind of slavery in which victims are forced to perform sexual acts — is increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S., and Toledo is one of the nation’s sex trafficking hubs.
Held was inspired after attending a conference in January and hearing a speech given by a woman who had done the One Dress Campaign.
“I turned to my friend and I said, ‘I have to do this,’” Held said. “As soon I got home, I got online and researched.”
Held’s research led her to Rahab’s Hideaway, a non-profit organization based out of Columbus that takes in sex trafficking victims. Held helps the organization raise money to provide the victims with food, clothing and shelter. A link to donate can be found on Held’s blog, elizabethheld1dress.blogspot.com, where she is documenting her experience.
Held plans to work more closely with Rahab’s Hideaway over the summer, visiting churches and sending out letters in order to raise money. She also will be teaming up with the organization’s founder, Marlene Carson, who was a victim of sex trafficking herself.
Aside from her passion for giving sex trafficking victims a voice, Held, who considers herself a “fashionista,” views the experience as a fashion challenge.
“My favorite combination is probably the Justin Bieber-themed one,” Held said. “I wore (the dress) with a white V-neck, a purple hoodie, a beanie and my TOMS (shoes).”
Held plans to post a photo of each outfit she assembles on her blog. Regarding the potential deterioration of the dress over time, Held said she is being very careful, and if anything minor happens to it, her roommate is a seamstress.
“It’s sweet that she doesn’t care what the world thinks about her wearing the same dress every day,” said Chelsey Imboden, a sophomore studying nursing.
“But amazing that she cares so much for these women.”
ag910309@ohiou.edu
@ThePostCulture
