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June Dresses

Empowering Women Through Dress

Dresses and Flip-Flops – My Favourite June Dresses Memory

By Alaina Thursby, June 29, 2019

Hey there!

Have you ever sat at a bus stop in a dress, headphones on, eating a corndog with a huge smile on your face?

No? Me neither!

However, I did see that tableau on my way home from work today and thought: not my thing but to each their own! As I reflect over my past 5 years of June Dresses I think about the people, the dresses, the smiles, the causes, all the love and support and the stories.

So many stories. Mine as well as so many others around the world.

My June Dresses Story

Alaina Thursby June Dresses
My fave handmade Peru dress

I’ve met some incredible women (& men- shoutout to Dan who knew June Dresses and I were meant for each other) who have fully jumped on board with June Dresses whether it was through wearing a dress every day, choosing and talking about causes, donating, taking pics (please get our feet!) or dishing out the compliments.

Since the beginning, I’ve had full support from my mom and sister who are total feministas with style and hearts of gold. I’ve met women around Alberta who are working with pregnant women struggling with addiction who have joined June Dresses to continue to empower women and help disrupt cycles. I’ve had women cross the street to tell me that they love my dress and just wanted to let me know. I’ve had ladies fully support my cause just because I’ve asked them to.

This year I had someone show up wearing yellow asking “Wait- why am I wearing yellow?! I just heard that you’d asked so I did!” Incredible!

I’ve been on holidays for June, at two different workplaces (with incredible teams), with family, friends, and made friends of friends and had family of friends become friends (oh my heart, the White family)! Together we’ve all made an amazing community literally around the world because of 30 days in June.

I am honoured to be connected.

Doing What You Can

A few years ago, a previous colleague and friend of mine and I were in our dresses and flip-flops in the Edmonton River Valley. We were helping a youth move his belongings out of a homeless camp. I’m sure it was quite a sight!

We carried big heavy garbage bags up a muddy slippery bank. It was a bit heartbreaking/exciting that he was moving on/ridiculous mostly based on our footwear and yet, there we were doing what we could.

That’s what this is about. Doing what you can.

Empowered women empower women

I have causes and passions that I like to share about. June Dresses has given me an intentional way to stand up and speak out about more of my life and work using social media in a positive, engaged way. I’ve raised money for big projects and small, and am incredibly grateful for the connections, money raised and this movement of women empowering women.

The beauty of June Dresses is that you can take it and make it your own, however you want to fit it into your life and way of being.

Cheers to the last days of June and the ripples of June Dresses that will continue to spread throughout the year!

I’ll leave you with these words from Margaret Mead which couldn’t be truer:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

xoxo Alaina (@peacealaina)

About Alaina Thursby

Alaina Thursby is a long-time June Dresses participant who loves meeting new people and learning their stories.

View My Blog Posts

Dresses and Dads
My 2019 adventure of 30 days without pants

Comments

  1. Lynette says

    June 30, 2019 at 5:10 am

    Very proud of you sweetheart! You are one hell of a woman.

    Reply

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Intro to June Dresses

#JUNEDRESSES

My name is Cadence Mutch (@cadencemutch) and this My name is Cadence Mutch (@cadencemutch) and this is my seventh year participating in June Dresses! Today they are letting me take over their Instagram page!
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A little about me: This year I’m working as a Wildfire Dispatcher for my fourth season in the Slave Lake district, and this April I completed the first year of my Psychology degree. .
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With COVID-19 affecting the better part of 2020, and seeing how it has affected all of the first responders, working hard to ensure our safety, while dealing with the effects of the pandemic on their own families, personal lives and mental health, I felt focusing on first responder mental health was important and something where I could make a positive impact. I have chosen to fund-raise for OSI-CAN.
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OSI-CAN operates solely through private donations, which allow them to travel the provinces conducting support groups and raising awareness. The funds also facilitate the purchase of service dogs and participation in equine therapy for clients who would most benefit from these types of support. A network of service providers is also being established to link clients with other services necessary for their recovery such as housing, counselling, vocational training, psychosocial rehabilitation, etc. .
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So far I have raised $1245.00, with my goal being $1500.00! My June Dresses fundraising page is: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/june-dresses-2020/

#JuneDresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #30DaysOfDresses
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT . We have organized a spectacular BIG ANNOUNCEMENT .
We have organized a spectacular weekend of Instagram story takeovers for you! .
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Honouring the foundations of June Dresses being a peer-to-peer endeavour of women supporting women, we wanted to 'pass the mic'.
@cadencemutch @jonelonaga and @billie_by_design will be gracing us with stories from their JD Journeys ALL WEEKEND LONG! .
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Be sure to tune into our stories this weekend to hear from them, and show them some love! .
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Want to share your JD story? We love it! Slide on into our DMs and we'll talk!
#junedresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #30daysofdresses
R E P O S T "Halfway through @junedresses - A gent R E P O S T
"Halfway through @junedresses - A gentle reminder that I am raising money for the @winhouseshelter. Domestic abuse has increased during this pandemic and shelter are extremely underfunded, so feel free to make a donation. #empoweringwomen #stoptheviolence #enddomesticviolence"
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Head over to @suewiden's page to follow their JD journey to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Home is not always a safe place for everyone, and COVID quarantine has not helped. But supporting @winhouseshelter just might!
#JuneDresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #30DaysOfDresses
How's your self care going? Are you finding ways t How's your self care going? Are you finding ways to love summer? Have you taken time out to replenish? Peace, joy, inspiration... what has been getting you through these days? .
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The JD admin has been spending this week in one-on-one conversations within our communities, and it has been so, so, lovely. It's easy to forget how vital a personal check-in is for shared connection and growth. .
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Feel free to share with us in the comments, the best connections you have felt this week, and what you are doing to stay grounded! 
#junedresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #30DaysOfDresses #junedressescovidstyle
We have been truly moved by the JD community this We have been truly moved by the JD community this week. There has been collective support, in various forms, for local efforts in the @blklivesmatter movement. None of this counts unless it is authentic, and none of it counts until it is local. .
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In Alberta, the government is moving to pass Bill 1, which would make it increasingly difficult for Albertians to express their dissatisfaction through protest. The bill specifically targets protests along oil field and pipeline builds, which is a primary tool for First Nations communities to protect their lands. 
We have a link in the highlight from @fridaysforfuture.calgary to learn more! And a letter template link in our bio 👆
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There is so much more work to be done... and we will continue to do it.
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#junedresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #dolocalgood #canva #michelleobamaquote #supportlocal #activateloacal #ableg
Sharing a moment of peace with June Dresses partic Sharing a moment of peace with June Dresses participant @agonybeed who has chosen to honour her self care needs this month, by being on social media less. Instead, she is collecting all of her photos in a Google album to document her first year of participating in JD. 
#selfcareandsummerlove
#junedresses2020 #empoweringwomenthroughdress
What is intersectionality? Implemented by @kimberl What is intersectionality?
Implemented by @kimberlecrenshaw "intersectionality" is a framework for understanding how multiple forms of oppression can be experienced by a single individual. .
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For example: a White woman may experience oppression due to her gender, and experience power due to her race. A Black woman, however experiences oppression due to both her gender and race. Where the Black women's race and gender meet is an "intersection" of oppression. .
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Through the #sayhername initiative, Crenshaw challenges social justice advocates and charities to pay special attention to intersectionality when working within their communities. Age, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, are all areas where an individual may experience oppression, so it is necessary we pay close attention to these variable factors when striving to provide equality, and mend our broken systems.
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. 📷 artwork: taken from the "What is Intersectionality" youtube video by Peter Hopkins
R E P O S T : @popculturedeejah "We're still mostl R E P O S T :
@popculturedeejah "We're still mostly quarantining here at home so, many posts will be of me "doing" chores + such. 👗 Collective Concepts 👟 Converse (Barkroot Brown) 
#georgefloyd #blm #saytheirnames 
#1of30 #junedresses #30daysofdresses"

Doing the daily work of living @popculturedeejah has dedicated each day of June to one person who has lost their life to racial violence. $10 for every 10 likes, all proceeds go to @aclu_nationwide so be sure to like, and share, and get your friends to like and share her JD campaign!
empowerment noun, em·​pow·​er·​ment | \ i empowerment noun, em·​pow·​er·​ment | \ im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r-mənt

1. the act or action of empowering someone or something : the granting of the power, right, or authority to perform various acts or duties

2. the state of being empowered to do something : the power, right, or authority to do something .
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Our work is not separate from the injustices we see spreading across our screens now. You not only have power, you can give power.

Ask yourself: How does the cause I've chosen to support directly impact marginalized individuals? Learn how you can help those voices be heard. .
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It is not Black Lives vs. All Lives, it is not Men vs. Women. It is all of us, against injustice.
...Let's get to work.
Instagram post 2322717923323704538_1268088354 Instagram post 2322717923323704538_1268088354
Day one and @jazzmineraine has hit the ground runn Day one and @jazzmineraine has hit the ground running. Follow this incredible woman on her JD journey to provide micro-grants to social justice activists across India.
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"As a leader for social impact, I can't do nothing in this time. Actually, I can't seem to do enough. That's why I've decided to dedicate the next 30 days to financially support 30 organizations and individuals that I believe deserve support and recognition for their work. .
My June Dresses fundraiser is a 30-in-30 challenge: 30 micro-grants in 30 days. The goal is to raise $3000 - $100 a day. This will be used towards providing $100 micro Grant's to well deserving social and environmental impact brands and entrepreneurs in India."
It is June tomorrow??? . . Yes, even we are unprep It is June tomorrow??? .
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Yes, even we are unprepared! Who cares though? There are 1000 other things going on. If you feel late to the party, we get it.
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Good news? We have all month! We've put together this graphic to remind you how it works!
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June Dresses is primarily about self care and summer love! An additional upside is raising awareness for your favourite womxn's issues. .
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If you've chosen to fundraise this year, remember your community may not be able to give $$$ like they have before. Consider other forms of community building ♡
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Tag us, and use our hashtags so we can support you, and raise your voice.
Let's go!
#JuneDresses #30DaysOfDresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress
This is the moment. "Scratch that this is not a mo This is the moment. "Scratch that this is not a moment it's a movement." .
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We have watched in heartache, in terror, in arrogance, in priviledge, our whole lives. And for all the lives before us. If this doesn't make us furious, nothing will. No more watching. Time to act, to dismantle generations of racism, outward and within. .
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We have tagged a number of our favourite educators in this post. Follow them.
Thank you to @claudiasahuquillo for this striking image.
Celebrating mothers. The women who teach us why, Celebrating mothers. 
The women who teach us why, and how. The women we look to for strength and guidance. The women who show up to care for the next generation. 
Mothers past, present, future, lost, stolen, adopted, honorary, and all the feelings... Thank-you for helping to build a legacy for us. •
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If today is a difficult day for you, reach out to your support network. Don't let social media overwhelm your senses. •
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#JuneDresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #womenempowerwomen #empoweredwomenempowerwomen #mothersday #celebratewomen #womxn #feme
The weather is getting better, and being in isolat The weather is getting better, and being in isolation has gotten old! At this point it's hard to remember the importance of social distancing. 
Social 👏 distancing 👏 is 👏 so 👏 important 👏
Growing our bubbles of interaction should be a slow and gradual process. Take care of each other and continue to watch your own mental health as we go along. Here are some of the tips from @who to help.

#JuneDresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #30daysofdresses #femeoutfront #socialdistancing #stage1
Womxn! Femes! Ladies! Doesn't everything feel rea Womxn! Femes! Ladies! 
Doesn't everything feel really heavy these days? 
Between watching the world disintegrate around us, to throwing any semblance of routine in the garbage, it's hard to think about gearing up for June Dresses this year, isn't it? 
Well, we've been thinking, and we want to remind everyone, ourselves included, that June Dresses is all about feeling good in our bodies! That looks different for everyone, and depends heavily on the mental state.

Maybe you can't find it in yourself to donate this year, maybe your community already feels run dry. That is so okay!
What are other ways we can show our support for each other, take care of ourselves, and hold up a megaphone for female voices? That's what we will be exploring together this May, and hopefully, come June, we will all get to celebrate a holistic month of women's wellness.

#empoweringwomenthroughdress #JuneDresses #empowerment #thefutureisfemale #femeoutfront #equality #womensrightsarehumanrights #femepower #30daysofdresses #30daychallenge
Beautiful art, and a very important reminder from Beautiful art, and a very important reminder from @theresgoodinstore 
Be gentle. Be radical.
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#JuneDresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #thefutureisfemale
Hey YEG! Don't miss out on @thewardrobeexchangeyeg Hey YEG!
Don't miss out on @thewardrobeexchangeyeg this weekend. Thrifting at its finest for all your back to school needs! 
Mad love for women power, sustainable fashion, and #localgood.
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In support of @goodwill_ab show up this Saturday, September 14th 10am -  4pm at Epcor Tower in Edmonton. Check out their page for more details on their vendors, and stay tuned for other events! 📸cred: @sherdeers
Students, teachers, parents, WELCOME BACK TO SCHOO Students, teachers, parents, WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
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While the edges of summer days cling to our hearts, we wish everyone headed back into the classroom a wonderful year ahead! May this season bring with it a renewed sense of motivation. •
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Education is a RIGHT! Women have historically been denied access to education, and this continues to be a battle fought by many around the globe today. Whether you a fresh into high school, finishing up a master's degree, or going on to your 45th year of teaching, know that you are part of a beautiful legacy of women, participating in the pursuit of knowledge! May you know your power, may all women know their power.
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📸cred: used with permission from @unsplash
C A N A D A D A Y! Celebrating today by taking a C A N A D A  D A Y!
Celebrating today by taking a look back at some of the red dresses that were worn in June.
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The red dress has become a symbol, representing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, from across our nation. From the National Museum of Human Rights, in Winnipeg, to individual designers, people are crying out for no more stolen sisters! •
We have come a long way as a country... we have much further to go.
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#mmiwg #nomorestolensisters #thereddressproject #canadaday #junedresses #empoweringwomenthroughdress #womenempowerwomen
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  • Kelsey WhiteKelsey WhitePerennial June Dresses Participant

    June Dresses has become a community that supports women doing whatever they want, whatever they can dream of. And it doesn't matter what you look like or how you dress... it's what you're capable of.

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