CULLMAN, Ala. – Three local women met in August with a simple vision to bring discretion, dignity, comfort and care to young ladies in need in the community.
The vision was unveiled by new local nonprofit – Les Dames Cullman– at its first event, the inaugural Witches Ride, which took place Sunday at Cullman’s Festhalle.
Cullman City School Board Member Amy Carter, Good Grit magazine Founder and CEO Laura Quick and Cullman Power Board CEO Allison Bright joined forces two short months ago with a goal and a plan: create an organization to serve young women ages 9-19 and make its services free to the community through fundraising events like the Witches Ride.
“We uncovered this need, formed a nonprofit with a tax ID, all since August, and planned the event in six weeks,” Carter said. “We three utilized the help of the Cullman Chamber and the community, hired Avenue G for music, and it just came together in a short amount of time. Our goal was to raise $10,000 from this event. The last check into the amount was $20,000, and we are still counting.”
Carter said Les Dames paid Avenue G to perform, but the band discounted its rate.
“After the Witches Ride was over, Avenue G donated all of their tips to the fundraising, and it’s moments like that which demonstrates what a generous, giving city we live in,” Carter said. “We plan to make this event an annual one and we also will have a spring event to follow.”
Carter said the ultimate goal for Les Dames is to have a hygiene cabinet at every city and county school so anyone in need of hygiene or feminine products can have access at any time.
“We want to be able to provide soap, body products, tampons, pads, underwear, hygiene items, etc. to any female in need of them, and the need locally is great,” Carter said. “In Cullman, 1 in 4 kids are under the poverty level, and this isn’t just for those that are less fortunate. This is tor the girl that starts her period for the first time while being raised by a single father, or whose mother works two jobs. This is for the girl being raised by her grandmother that hasn’t been shown how to intentionally take good care of her hygiene. This is for anyone in need.”
Carter said eventually Les Dames would like to add counseling into the mix so young women can have access to professional guidance and advice.
“Many of these girls don’t have the resources they need and because of that, they often miss school causing absenteeism,” Carter said. “If they continue to miss school this affects their grades and ability to move forward and the cycle continues. This organization can help provide dignity and discretion. Our goal is to mentor, encourage and help young women, and Les Dames is here to stay.“
Find out more at www.facebook.com/LesDamesCullman.
