Dress for Success
- Words by Peppermint
Every October,Β not-for-profit organisationΒ One GirlΒ inviteΒ men and women, boys and girls to frock up in a school dress in the name of theirΒ major annual fundraiser, Do It In A Dress. “The concept is easy – you pick any challenge you like, raise a minimum of $300, and do it in a school dress,” says one of 2013’s participant, Roz Campbell. Money raised helps One Girl’s campaign to get more girls in Sierra Leone a formal education. But aside from financial hurdles, limited options are available for managing menstruation in the country: another big reason so many girls miss out on schooling in Sierra Leone. So, planning to launch her own sanitary pad business later this year, Roz decided to make her Do It In A Dress project all aboutΒ menstruation.Β Planning to test some of the methods girls in Sierra Leone use to manage their periods, Roz has set herself a challenge to say the least. We spoke to her about her research and what she hopes to achieve.
How do most girls in Sierra Leone manage their periods?
The more research I do, the more shocking it becomes! Initially Chantelle Baxter [One Girl Co-Founder] told me stories of girls using ‘pieces’ – which are old rags. They don’t get washed properly and are left to dry in the dark damp areas of the house so no one will see them, which is a breeding ground for infections.Β The other methods I have heard about are layered underwear, kitchen sponges, toilet paper, newspaper, leaves and bark, chicken feathers, piling up dirt to sleep on and sweeping it away in the morning. I recently read that some younger girls even find used sanitary pads in the rubbish and use those.
I should also note that tampons and menstrual cups are not physically or culturally appropriate in Sierra Leone, as the majority of girls have been circumcised, only leaving a small opening for urine and blood to pass through.
What period management approaches will you be trying for your Do It In A Dress campaign?
For each day of my period I plan to road test a different method, and report back on the experience. At this stage,Β I will be making some pieces, using a kitchen sponge,Β layering underwear,Β paper, and leaves and bark – and maybe feathers if there’s time. I might try sleeping on some sand atΒ nighttimeΒ and see what happens there.
Which method are you least looking forward to trying?
To be honest, I’m not looking forward to the whole experience. It’s going to be awkward and uncomfortable at a time when I’m usually more sensitive and emotional. I already know I’m going to be paranoid about getting blood on my dress, but I have to try and live life normally. Going to work and socialising is going to be hard. I haven’t even done it yet, but already it’s highlighting the issues girls in Sierra Leone face every month.
Why do you think education for girls is important?
I’ve memorised the One Girl moto which sums it up perfectly. “An educated girl is three times less likely to contract HIV/ AIDS. She’ll marry later and have fewer, healthier children. For every extra year of schooling her income will increase by 10-25 percent. Not only that, she’ll reinvest 90 percent of the money she earns back into her family. Educating a girl has a ‘multiplier effect’. An educated girl can change the world.” That’s why I believe education for girls is important.
How can other people get involved?
Sign up to Do It In A Dress! Tell your friends and family! Or, if you don’t want to do your own challenge, you can support me here. I’ve already raised enough funds to send two girls to school, but would love to see that grow.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
MoreΒ articles
When you hang a painting on a wall, the story stays put. But when you wear a beautifully made garment that may as well be a piece of art? The story travels. It moves through the world with you β…
We all do it: fire up the car for a 5-minute drive to pick up groceries, drop off sewing supplies, or run a quick errand…
Hereβs a question: who decided that natural fibres arenβt a great fit in activewear? For Geraldton mum-of-four Jade Payne, that question became paramount after a…
Fancy a getaway in a heritage building that was once a hospital, an orphanage AND a school in a previous life? Despite what your initial…
When the algorithm gods reward dance trends over hand-thrown ceramics, and building a website feels more stressful than a tax return, whereβs a maker to…
Time-travelling lungfish floating in a mosaic of glass tiles, a four-breasted female empowerment goddess cast in bronze, and a striking botanical sculpture spanning 15 metres,…
Hang out with us on Instagram
βCrafting is something that has come naturally since I was small and I just havenβt stopped. When I was smaller, I was interested in the end result. As Iβve gotten older, I realise itβs the process that keeps me coming back to craft. Itβs a meditative state for me and I find the repetitive action of the stitching and felting quite therapeutic.ββ
β
Craving a world filled with warmth and whimsy? Itβs all in a dayβs work for textile artist @Cat_Rabbit, whose latest book, βTrinketsβ, is bursting with felty food friends to make and cherish. Cat invited us into her universe, filled with cheeky characters, layered storytelling and loads of humour. β
β
Plus: try the super sweet pattern for Catβs Lucky Pickle, perfect to make as a stocking stuffer, extracted from Trinkets. β
β
Read more from our βJust felt rightβ feature in Issue 64, at newsagents and stockists now!β
β
Photos: Tatanja Ross @On_JacksonStreet and Cat Rabbitβ
β
#PeppermintMagazine #CatRabbit #LuckyPickle #Craft #Crafting #Felting #FeltCrafts #Trinkets #ChristmasDecorations
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the Bondi Beach violence, especially the Jewish community. Also to the beachgoers, those who bravely helped and the first responders.β
β
While it`s easy β and understandable β to get caught up in the horror of it all and direct anger at certain groups, remember this quote from teacher and author Erin Gruwell: "Don`t let the actions of a few determine the way you feel about an entire group."β
β
βYou don`t fight racism with racism. You fight racism with solidarity," said Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers. And solidarity is exactly what we need right now.β
β
If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Remember there is much more kindness in the world than hate. β€οΈβπ©Ήβ
β
@LifelineAustralia has created a Bondi Beach Incident: Wellbeing support guide, where youβll find information about common reactions, reassurance that what youβre feeling is valid, and ideas for taking care of your wellbeing.β
β
https://lifeline.org.au/bondi-incidentβ
β
You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 or chat at lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat anytime, no matter how this has impacted you.β
β
@BeyondBlueOfficial is also available with free 24/7 support by phone on 1300 22 4636 or webchat at https://www.beyondblue.org.au/β
β
Register.Find.Reunite. has been activated by @RedCrossAu to help people reconnect with family and friends. Visit redcross.org.au to access the service.β
β
@NSWPolice Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) is operating 24/7 on 1800 227 228 for information relating to people impacted.β
β
@LifeBloodAu is supporting Sydney hospitals. O- and O+ blood are always in high demand in emergencies. To donate (from anywhere in Australia β all states are welcome and helpful!) call 13 14 95 or use the Lifeblood app.
Just a reminder⦠from @SugarHouseCeramicCo
This holiday season be kind, patient and shop local!
#ShopSmall #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness
β¨οΈ Our website is getting a glow-up! β¨οΈβ
β
Sorry for the inconvenience but it will be offline for a few days. You can still purchase subscriptions (perfect for chrissy presents!) via the links on the holding page.β
β
Last year we were extremely excited to receive funding from the Meta Australian News Fund, in partnership with the Walkley Foundation. The result of this is a fabulous new website, with a sustainable fashion and sewing directory that will follow early next year. We`ve worked with the lovely Amy and Jenny at @CrumpetClubHouse who have been making the magic happen β we can`t wait to show you the outcome! β¨οΈβ
β
In the meantime, please get in touch if you need help with anything β hello@peppermintmag.com β
β
We`ll see you on the other side! π
π 12 DAYS OF XMAS GIVEAWAYS πβ
β
πOn the 12th day of Christmas, weβre giving awayβ¦ a GREENPAN FROST ICE CREAM & FROZEN DRINK MAKER! πβ
β
Ice, ice, baby! Calling all kitchen magicians and dessert devotees: itβs time to churn, blend and devour your way to frozen heaven. Itβs our final giveaway β and hoo girl, itβs a goodie! Thanks to the clever folks at @TheOriginalGreenPan.Anz, one reader will cool their mitts on the Frost Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker β perfect for conjuring up home-made gelato, sorbet, smoothies, slushies and more!
Valued at $599, the Frost Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker is designed with GreenPanβs signature Thermolonβ’ ceramic non-stick coating, so you can whip up summer-ready sweet treats free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium.
To snag this frosty prize, follow @TheOriginalGreenPan.Anz and tag a friend in the comments below before midday AEST 15 December! (Australian and New Zealand addresses only, please.) Good luck!
Update: The lucky winner of our final giveaway is @just__for__van - congrats! We`ll dm to get your details. Well done! π
β
#PeppermintMagazine #12DaysOfChristmas #12DaysOfGiveaways #GreenPan
Oh hey ππΌ Just a little reminder that our subscriptions are sent in paper envelopes, which is a bit of a rarity in our industry. π
πΌβ
β
If you need more reasons to subscribe, how about these:β
β
π Enjoy a new issue arriving in your letterbox every six months.β
π Subscribers exclusively receive FOUR digital sewing patterns per year!β
π Youβll be the first to get your hands (and needles) on our patterns with early access.β
π Get a 20% discount code on back issues of Peppermint so you can start your collection today!β
π Automatically go in the draw to win amazing prizes each issue.β
π Feel good about your subscription arriving in plastic-free postage.β
π Support a small, women-led Australian business.β
π Help us make the world a better place!β
β
And... it`s a perfect Christmas present! We have a downloadable card you can print to go with your gift. β
β
π Link in bio!β
β
#PeppermintMagazine #SupportSmallBusiness #ShopLocal #ShopSustainable #PlasticFree β
