Blythe Hill
Dressember Foundation
Los Angeles, CA USA
"If you can impact even one person in a way that’s really lasting, that’s a big deal."
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Blythe's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Fashion, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Ask for help and utilize your network. You may know a lot, but there is also a lot you don't know. I knew I wanted to make a change against human trafficking, but I didn't know how to file for a 501(c)3 or how to build a website. If you want to make a difference, you have to get comfortable with asking for help. Your network consists of the people you know and the people they know. Together, your network can be so powerful!
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
California State University, Fullerton
Graduate Degree
English Language and Literature, General
California State University, Fullerton
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I started at California State University, Fullerton as a theater major, quickly realized that wasn’t for me, and changed my major a couple of times before finally settling on English.
2.
When I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, the recession had started, so I retreated back to graduate school and got my master’s degree in English.
3.
Throughout school, I held multiple writing, editing, and photography jobs.
4.
While pursuing my master’s, I needed a creative outlet, so I decided to use clothing to express myself and wore dresses for a month straight—the challenge became the inspiration for my nonprofit.
5.
After graduate school, I moved to Los Angeles and worked as an account manager for a fashion forecasting company.
6.
In 2013, I turned my dress-style challenge into a campaign for an organization I respected—with their social media promotion, “Dressember” raised $165,000 for anti-trafficking work in just one month.
7.
Shortly after, I took the steps to make Dressember an official nonprofit organization...but I also had to work a few part-time jobs as the company was starting out.
8.
I now manage the Dressember Foundation full time—since 2013, we’ve raised more than five million dollars for anti-trafficking work internationally!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I'm unqualified to make a difference.
How I responded:
While in school, I read an article about sex trafficking in India and was horrified. But I felt completely unqualified to make a difference as a young college student. I decided to pursue an English degree and lived with the frustration of not being able to help a cause I really cared about. As my Dressember style challenge grew, I realized that this was how I could make a difference. I now manage the Dressember Foundation, which has raised more than $5 million towards anti-trafficking work.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was sexually abused when I was about four years old. That experience has shaped so much of my life, passions, and work. It's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about anti-trafficking and fighting to restore dignity for women.
I changed my major a few times before I finally settled on English. It took me a while to understand what would work for me, but I still didn't feel a strong directional pull until my nonprofit started taking off.
While getting my master’s degree, I felt buried in academia and had no real creative outlet. I decided to creatively express myself through clothing and only wear dresses for a month. That style challenge became the inspiration for my nonprofit.
Depending on the stage of life you're in, something is going to get more time than the rest. Right now, my family and my job get my attention and I'm maxed out. Fortunately, I have a very supportive partner and a lot of flexibility with my job.