Amy Seiffert, a blogger, painter, and mom from Ohio, is wearing a T-shirt dress…for 6 months.  (Yes, she washes it!)  On November 15 she put on the grey dress and has worn it every day since, dressing it up with various accessories and borrowed pieces of clothing.

The money she would have spent buying new clothes is being donated to The Daughter Project, which helps victims of human trafficking in Ohio.  In addition to the money, her wardrobe choice has sparked plenty of conversations and raised awareness about sex trafficking and exploitation.

Today is February 15, marking the halfway point of this experiment.  I am delighted to announce that Amy kindly agreed to write a guest post for Hope for the Sold on this very special day!

Love.  Candy.  Gifts.  Flowers.
Lust.  Condoms. Grieving.  Floundering.

What is Valentine’s Day like for the exploited? For the abused? For those held in sexual captivity? As my husband came home with a sweet gift for me, with a warm hug, with something for our son – I was overcome. With thankfulness. With joy. With love and peace and hope. And an hour later I was overcome. Overcome by the idea that young girls, on Valentine’s Day, are not being celebrated. They are being used.

This is not right.
This is not right.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

What darkness they live in. What fear. What absence of love. Isn’t the opposite of love, fear?

And yet I will still hang onto a thread of hope. Literally. These gray threads I wear help me hope. Help me pray. Help me remember that 3 months ago today, I put on this dress. To make a statement. To say that women and children are precious jewels. They are rubies and diamonds and sapphires. They are so distinct and set apart that though some may try to wear them down, their beauty cannot be touched. These are the stunning ones. The lovely ones. The ones who we will squint at during the time of redemption because they will shine so bright.

3 Months have passed. 3 more to go. One Dress. One Hope. One God. To quote The Daughter Project…we don’t know why these horrors happen. But we know we are called to do something about them.

Wanna join me? Anything can be used to raise money, awareness, redemption and hope. Even a simple, gray dress.

-Amy

Check out The Daughter Project, and be sure to follow the rest of Amy’s journey on her blog!  You can also watch a CNN interview with Amy and read this news article by The Toledo Blade.

Thanks Amy for sharing your story and being a voice for those who are suffering.  I’m sure your project will be an inspiration for many abolitionists to get creative in the fight for justice.  We wish you all the best as you tackle the second half of your goal!

Michelle Brock