All Eyez On: The Pretty Girl Project

Just around the corner in every woman's mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her.
~Wilhela Cushman

I remember Senior year of High School like it was yesterday. Well, maybe not all of it, but I do remember all of the fuss & muss leading up to Senior Prom. I was one of the blessed young ladies who had parents that could afford to send me to the Prom, but I did not want to go. "What's the big deal?" I remember asking my mom, my aunts, and other older adult females that I knew as the months ticked closer to the due date for the money to attend. None of the women who went could explain to me the importance of going. But all of the women who did not attend--be it because they could not afford it or had the same nonchalant attitude as me at the time--said the same exact thing:

"In retrospect, I wish I had gone to the prom. It is something I will regret forever."

I did go to my Senior Prom. I had a gorgeous red dress, my first pair of "heels", my hair up in a beautiful french roll with a gorgeous bang, a red & white rose coursage, and a date whose name I don't remember because he was the grandson of one of my mother's friends. While he wasn't what it was all about, the night itself was. I have memories of that night that will last forever, and am so glad that I was convinced to go and had the means to do so.

When I received the initial Facebook message from both Stephanie Danforth, Editor of DailyVenusDiva.com and Cassy Jones-McBryd, CEO of The Fuller Woman Network, that they were preparing to create an initiative for young girls to assist those who wanted to go to prom, but might not have the means to, I knew it was an important cause to support whenever it launched. Together, this dynamic duo has created the Pretty Girl Project, an initiative whose mission is to encourage girls ages 12-17 to embrace their inner and outer beauty. Positive reinforcement in areas such as individual expression, maintaining positive relationships and celebrating their self worth is made possible through various programs and initiatives throughout the year.

The Pretty Girl Project is preparing for their Annual Prom Dress Drive event, where they hope to be able to provide 50 girls graduating from high school the tool necessary for any girl transitioning into adulthood. Unlike some prom dress drives, where girls merely come to pick out a dress, The Pretty Girl Project understands that prom night is for some young ladies, their first real "formal" outing. They are planning a day full of speakers, demonstrations & activities that will have the young ladies selected feeling empowered at the end of the day. And, of course, they will have the chance to pick out the dress of their dreams, as well as shoes and accessories if possible.
The Annual Prom Dress Drive Event will take place on April 24, 2010

Northwest Activity Center (Main Ballroom)

18100 Meyers Rd

Detroit, MI 48235-1493

12noon-6pm


There are multiple ways to assist them in assisting these deserving young women.

*You can donate gently used or new evening wear, prom dresses, or cocktail dresses. We are also accepting gently used or new shoes and/or accessories.

*You can recommend a high school senior that you feel could benefit from this event.

*You can spread the word to everyone that you know.

*You can volunteer the day of the event.

*A monetary donation will help send a high school senior to prom as well.


For more information, please contact Stephanie and Cassy at prettygirlproject@yahoo.com.