On Nov. 9, Lashtastic Lounge, Brown Blossom, and Divine Drops will be hosting their 2nd annual "Unleash Your Feminine" at 6 p.m. at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden.
Guests are encouraged to dress in their best red attire to symbolize the power and beauty of femininity.
The evening will give guests the opportunity to raise awareness about critical women's health issues. The focus of this year's event are dignity kits and essential workshops for girls in the foster care system and for girls who lack access to the resources they need to understand their menstrual cycles. In addition to creating these kits, guests can include personal inspirational notes within each kit.
The event will have a red carpet fashion show, a DJ, a 360 photo booth and a silent auction. There will be an open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Throughout the night, there will be opportunities to donate and sponsor dignity kits and network with philanthropists, activists, and leaders in women's health. Ticket proceeds will support the mission of providing workshops and dignity kits to young girls in need.
"Unleash Your Feminine" seeks to address the health problems that women face today, from hormone imbalances to limited access to quality and non-toxic menstrual products. The fundraiser aims to raise awareness and provide support for girls in the foster care system by empowering them through education and resources.
The idea for "Unleash Your Feminine" developed from Lashtastic Lounge owner Victoria Parrish, Divine Drops owner, Mikaela Ingram and Dr. Cecilia Banga, the founder of Brown Blossom.
Parrish first met Banga about seven years ago after she moved to the area from Miami, when Banga was her OB-GYN during her pregnancy.
"I literally was just learning through her how to properly take care of my body. I grew up with a single father. I did not have a mother. Of course, being a man, he was not educated (about women's health), and I didn't learn certain things that I wish I could have had some education on to have helped me. I had always just had this beautiful connection with my doctor. She was so informative. She was so helpful. She made you feel special every single time that you were in her office, that she was genuinely there to support and help you," Parrish said.
Parrish said she wants to create an inclusive space for people to express their femininity.
"Our mission is creating a space where all women can go and unleash their own unique femininity, that everyone is different. Everyone, the way they want to express themselves, is different. We want to create a safe space that everyone can come and feel unique and whatever means the most to them that they have a safe space to do that in," Parrish said.
Divine Drops is an international organization that makes reusable and sustainable menstruation products for women around the world, donating products to women in what Ingram refers to as "period poverty." Ingram has traveled around the world with the aim of providing products and educating women.
"Our mission is to provide care packages that will strengthen women's health through sustainable menstrual products, inspiring holistic education and a caring community. Our goal for the evening is to create a bunch of care packages and then distribute them locally and globally. Locally, they'll be distributed by the YWCA in High Point and they'll also be distributed by The Boys and Girls Club. Then globally, Divine Drop goes back to Africa a lot," Parrish said.
The keynote speaker at the event, Genevieve Traversy, will talk about her experiences and struggles growing up in foster care, Parrish said.
"She will emphasize on the importance of the females who were present and those who weren't throughout her life that have made an impact on growing and succeeding. The main takeaway she hopes to achieve in her speech is helping the audience learn they too can overcome and heal," Parrish said.
Parrish said the first "Unleash Your Feminine" was a success.
"We were able to raise just over $8,000, which we created over a couple hundred dignity kits that were delivered through the Backpack Beginnings, YWCA, and the Guilford school district. It was amazing to see so many come together for such a great cause, and we can't wait for that again this year," Parrish said.
Parris said she is looking forward to making an impact on young girls in the foster care system.
"The impact to be made with the young girls in the foster care system, not just providing them with what they need but also providing them with dignity. The feeling that someone out there truly cares about them. The feeling that they are seen, they are heard, and they are valued just as they are," Parrish added.