Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is truly remarkable for a few reasons. It’s shining a light on a cause that remains relatively unheard of despite being downright ubiquitous. Often financial abuse is an indicator of more overt domestic violence to come. It’s a way that many abusers manage to keep victims in check. According to PurplePurse.com, “Domestic violence affects one in four women in her lifetime – that’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined. Most people think only of physical abuse when they consider domestic violence, yet financial abuse happens in 98% of all domestic violence cases. The number one reason domestic violence survivors stay or return to an abusive relationship is that they don’t have the financial resources to break free.” The statistics are mind blowing.
It is an invisible weapon, and Allstate Foundation Purple Purse aims to strip away that cloak of invisibility. The program is now in its 10th year of support, and they have helped more than 580,000 victims recover their safety and security. They have invested more than $43 million in this cause. This year, the campaign has expanded in a few ways. The actual purple purse is available for sale at SaksFifthAvenue.com – click here to get yours! A portion of the proceeds from every sale will directly benefit Allstate Foundation Purple Purse nonprofits. For a more affordable and equally eye-catching way to show your support for this important cause, you can get the Purple Purse charm. Click here to get a Purple Purse charm that you can attach to your bag or keychain to help survivors find the empowerment to escape abuse. All proceeds will benefit more than 160 Purple Purse Challenge nonprofit organizations.
The unveiling of the Purple Purse itself is a big deal. It was a special event and I was so honored to attend and be a part of it! I was flown to NYC for the elegant affair, held at the historic Plaza Hotel. Kerry Washington walked the purple carpet alongside her co-designer, Dee Ocleppo and her husband Tommy Hilfiger. I was there when Alicia Keys made an appearance. I was there when Kerry bolted to see the Pope drive by in his Fiat (Pope meets Pope)! And most exciting of all, I got to walk the purple carpet myself and have a moment with Kerry Washington. I met her years before at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon but that was pre-Scandal. Would she even remember?
She’s SO NICE and when I told her I was the creator of Afrobella, she said “I love your blog!” YAY!!!! I had to restrain my inner fangirl. I LOVE Kerry Washington. She’s so elegant, stylish and intelligent and uses her fame for good. LOVE HER.
At the event, Kerry and Dee Ocleppo spoke eloquently and unveiled their charitable creation. Executives from The Allstate Foundation shared the inspiration for the initiative, and stories from women who have endured and overcome. It was glamorous and beautiful but still respectful and kept the lens on the cause of domestic violence and financial abuse.
You can support the cause by buying a Purple Purse, or just a $10 Purple Purse charm, or by visiting PurplePurse.com to inform yourself about financial abuse and learn more about the Purple Purse Challenge, a month-long fundraising initiative with over 160 nonprofits to raise awareness and funds for programs supporting victims of domestic violence and financial abuse. And the charms are super cute and high quality – now every purse can be a Purple Purse! I’m with it.
Thank you Allstate Foundation Purple Purse for bringing me along for such an inspiring and informative experience. And thanks to Kerry Washington for being a total sweetheart!
Click here to get the facts about what Allstate Foundation Purple Purse does, via PurplePurse.com. Also you can visit Facebook.com/PurplePurse, or check them out on Twitter @PurplePurse.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
This post and experience were sponsored by the Allstate Foundation, but the opinions are all mine!
What a wonderful and worthy cause. You looked FABULOUS! I’m so glad you enjoyed your evening, and your time with Kerry! The purse is also very chic. They did a nice job with the design.
So happy and proud that you are connected with such a worthy cause and great to know that Kerry Washington reads your blog.
Your dress looked super fab!
What a wonderful cause you are a part of. I am also all for women empowerment even domestic violence affects both men and women, but statistically more so women. I love that Kerry Washington is part of this movement also, she is a woman many women look up to.