Today is Giving Tuesday, and we’re hearing today about all kinds of great causes. What a beautiful opportunity to celebrate change-makers everywhere!

But, do you ever look at a huge issue the world faces, and want to know how to make it right?

For any given problem that keeps us up at night, we want to find THE solution, don’t we? The one silver bullet to break down unjust systems, or solve global poverty, or end the orphan crisis. Often times, political discussions seem to carry a base assumption that solutions are an either/or proposition. (Take climate change, for instance. You say my reusable straws or hybrid vehicle don’t do much compared to what corporations need to do? I say, why not both/and?) The older I get, the more I appreciate that problems can be - and should be - tackled from multiple angles.

There is no single action that will end injustice. But that’s a good thing.

It’s a good thing because you and I can all do something. No matter our talents, our spheres of influence, our income level - we can look for ways that challenge us, but also suit us, as we do our part.

So you see, there IS one action that will end injustice: your next action.

There is one action that will end injustice: your commitment to a posture of listening, of never getting too comfortable, of always looking for ways to do more - not out of guilt, but out of excitement for the potential you hold.

As you explore the complexity of social issues that tug at you, what is the ONE way you will enter the fight? As you are led to, what is the one next step after that, and after that?

Case in point: Human Trafficking

This idea - that problems cry out for solutions from multiple angles - is easily seen in the issue of slavery. You see, learning about human trafficking is what drew me to ethical fashion and, later, to my work with Noonday Collection. And as an executive at International Justice Mission has shared at our conference, IJM and Noonday are two sides of the same coin. They represent the non-profit world and the ethical business world, both tackling the same problem. They represent rescue as well as rehabilitation and prevention. All of it - all of it - matters.

We will end slavery in the sting operations and the courtrooms, but we'll also end it through building up job opportunities and ensuring kids are in school. We'll end it through the non-profit world and the ethical business world, coming together. From the perspectives of our wallets, we’ll end it through how we donate and through how we spend (and even though how we invest). We’ll end it through billionaire philanthropists and everyday people giving $5 here and there. We’ll end it through strong leaders and enthusiastic followers. We’ll end it through the advocacy of survivors, and through the actions of allies who can’t relate but can listen, believe, and act. We’ll end it through police officers and lawyers, but also through photographers and writers who tell stories, data analysts who support important work, and jewelry sales people like me, along with people like you when you shop, host, or become an entrepreneur with Noonday. We’ll end it through rescue missions and aftercare, and we’ll end it through prevention efforts like job creation and ensuring children - especially girls - are in school, to break the cycle of poverty and vulnerability that traffickers exploit.

I’ve only scratched the surface. Does this list sound overwhelming? I hope not - because the magical part is, you don’t have to be all of these things. There are 7 billion people in the world. What is your one, next action?

Does it give you hope that there are multiple ways into the movement to end slavery (or any movement), and a place for everyone? I sure hope so.

One thing I love about my job is that I yearn to help make world change feel more accessible to women like me: women who want to be everyday change-makers. I can share how it’s not just how we give, but also how we spend, that has potential to shape the world into the place it should be. When even the simple action of shopping beautiful fair trade accessories can help create a better world, well, that feels doable, doesn’t it?

And this month, all of this is coming together in my Dressember campaign - because you, my friend, can gift a story of hope…and wear a story of hope.

Dressember: Give Freedom

Along with many others, I'll wear a dress every day this month to raise awareness around the issue of modern-day slavery and exploitation. 40 million people are enslaved today - but there are people engaging in this fight, and inviting you and me in as well. Through Dressember, we can support organizations (including IJM) that work on prevention, rescue, and holistic aftercare both at home and abroad.

Did you know…

A $25 donation provides an aftercare kit to provide basic, necessary essentials to make a survivor of trafficking feel loved and cared for after transitioning out of their exploitation.
$40 can send emergency nutrition and medical care to rescued survivors.

$105, $150, $320...these numbers all have a tangible purpose.

My goal is to raise $1,705 from 45 donors (join my Facebook group to see how I got that number and how I’ll gift you when you donate!). But I’m just one person - and I’m so excited to be part of a Dressember team of Noonday Collection Ambassadors, with a collective goal of raising $30,000.

This Giving Tuesday, will you join me in this fight? Make your donation at https://www.dressember2019.org/fundraiser/julie-godshall