You never know your impact
A decade ago, I was 11-years-old. A decade ago, I was on a sailboat at summer camp. A decade ago, I was laughing and sailing the days away with someone who would impact my life in a way I never expected.
A year ago, I was mindlessly and addictively scrolling through social media. Bouncing back and forth between Facebook and Instagram over and over and over. Until something caught my eye - something finally worth reading. Something that captivated my distracted mind and brought it screeching back to reality. What I found was a post about modern-day slavery, and a campaign called Dressember, shared by my old summer camp sailing instructor. I was completely focused on this post and all those that followed. During that December, I looked forward to my former instructor’s daily posts. I loved following her journey in making a difference in the world, and the empowerment that she exuded instantly empowered and inspired me to use my voice, as well.
Eventually it hit me that I was spending way too much of my time being swept up in things that either didn’t matter, didn’t help me grow as a person, or both. I wanted to spend my time contributing to the world and pushing myself to make a mark, just as my sailing instructor had. Throughout the year, I continued to follow Dressember and continued to educate myself on human trafficking. At first, it was so intimidating, as I am sure many other people can relate. Human trafficking is such a broad topic and there seems to be no end to the amount of information available. As I learned about human trafficking, I also got to learn about all of the people who were advocating for victims and survivors. Each time I read a story about a rescue mission, or a largely successful fundraiser, or someone’s personal story, the fire within me grew bigger and bigger. I looked up to all of the advocates, and ever since my initial experience with Dressember, I have continuously been trying to be as involved as much as I can.
These past few months interning with Dressember have only enhanced my passion and motivation to make a difference in the world. I continue to learn about modern-day slavery each and every day. Now, instead of allowing myself to feel overwhelmed with all of unknowns, I am grateful and proud of all of the information I have gained and share with others. The feeling that comes along with advocating for something that truly matters is nothing shy of powerful. It makes me feel invincible and most importantly, it gives me hope.
Witnessing up-close the direct work of Dressember, and meeting a community where everyone is passionate and everyone cares has kept me motivated - especially during those cold, December mornings. Those mornings where I just wanted to wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt, those mornings where I don’t feel pretty in a dress, and those mornings where my sense of hope is not particularly present. Then, I remember that my voice is one of many and it probably isn’t the only one that is having trouble showing up that morning.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” And let me tell you, this issue matters. It matters a lot more than my cold legs in the morning. It matters a lot more than not having a dress that perfectly hugs my curves. It matters a heck of a lot more than my temporary tiredness.
So, every time I am struggling with keeping my advocacy motivated, I remember the impact that my sailing instructor made on me. How one post, one picture, one dress and one voice can literally change the world. I remember how lucky I am to have a voice that I can use for others who don’t have one. And I remember how I have the chance to inspire someone else.
A decade from now, I will still be in a dress. A decade from now, I will still be fighting modern-day slavery. A decade from now, I hope to have touched the hearts and sparked the inspiration of more people than I could even keep track of.
About the Author
Olivia Kyles is a Junior at Northern Arizona University pursuing a degree in Marketing with a minor in Spanish. She finds her peace in helping others and is so excited to be working with Dressember helping to fight against modern day slavery. She loves to run, has a passion for animals and is obsessed with literature and movies based off of the roaring 20s!