More than 160 bras donated for International Women’s Day event
TROY, N.Y. » The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region’s ongoing Brava! campaign received a mid-March boost from Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte’s Women’s Initiative in honor of International Women’s Day.
More than 160 bras, along with a monetary donation of more than $200, were presented to the Troy-based nonprofit on Monday, during an event rescheduled from March 8, International Women’s Day.
This local bra-raising effort represented a rich diversity of efforts made globally for the holiday aiming to empower women.
The donated bras will be distributed for free to the women and girls of the YWCA, along with those in need throughout the community.
Over the past three years, the local YWCA has collected and given more than 1,500 new bras through this program. Most are typically donated at the annual Brava! event in November, but new bras and underwear with tags are collected year-round.
“There are many women and girls that go without bras because they’re too expensive or they can’t afford it,” said YWCA of the Greater Capital Region executive director Daquetta Jones, thanking the donors for making it possible.
Representatives from Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, which made the donation as part of its Women’s Initiative, as well as partnering supporters from Marvin and Company, Gallagher, and Bank of America were present at Monday’s donation and press conference.
“We’re very happy to be making a local impact by raising bras and bringing awareness while also fulfilling a need here,” said Katie Doran, shareholder at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, during the event.
“We are truly honored to partner with YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.,” said Stephanie Mumford, partner and CPA at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, in a press release. “We created the TBC Women’s Initiative to enable and empower women, and there’s no better way to do that than by helping the women and girls in our community who need it most.”
Bras are often an overlooked vital necessity that the women and girls the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region serves do not have access to and/or cannot afford, Jones said in the release.
“These free bras allow us to help restore some of the dignity to these women and girls in need that have lost along the way and to empower them to get back on their feet with confidence,” Jones said. “We greatly appreciate TBC and partners for their support, taking action and bringing awareness to this critical need.”
YWCA of the Greater Capital Region is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. It works to support women as it works toward goals set for itself, and there is always one item in short supply: bras.
Bras are more than just clothing, the release from the organization said. This fundamental garment is key to helping rebuild women’s confidence and strength as they re-enter the world on a fresh path.
Anyone in need of a new bra can request one by contacting the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region at (518) 275-7100.
Those interested in making a donation to the Brava! campaign can also call this number for information on how to do so. Larger sizes are appreciated.
The fourth annual Brava! fundraising and bra-raising event, an opportunity to have a monologue about the roles bras play in women’s lives, will be held in November.