Amanda's Blog

Emotional Abuse

 The Little Black Dress Society is continually looking for ways we can help women touched by abuse.  With one in four women abused, these numbers reflect reported cases only.  Emotional abuse is a silent killer of a woman's self-esteem.

Please read Darlene Lancer's Blog and find out how you can recognize emotional abuse and how to confront it by empowering you to take charge and regain your self-esteem.

Darlene Lancer, MFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

The Little Black Dress

 "It was an early December morning when Mandy woke with a chill that penetrated deep into her bones.  A cold front swept through Atlanta during the night and the two blankets Mandy had to cover up with weren't enough to keep her warm as she lay on the bare floor of the shelter.  Mandy had lived in shelters, on the streets and in the back alleyways of Atlanta for almost a year.  This is what her life had come to: a homeless person in a world she never dreamed she would be in.  A world filled with memories of her past failures and regrets of what could have been."  

Excerpt from my book, The Little Black Dress.

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The definition of homeless; living on the streets; living rough; dispossessed; destitute; without a roof over your head; down-and-out; itinerant.

I have never actually been without a roof over my head but I have felt homeless in my heart.  Have you ever felt that way?  If so, I want you to know that you are not alone.

The feeling of emptiness can stem from guilt, shame, abandonment, abuse, low self-esteem or all of the above. Women who have suffered abuse of any kind whether physical or emotional experience emptiness or homelessness.  

Healing for me came when I wrote my story.  Although we call it "a little book with a big message", it took months for me to complete it.  Often as the words poured out over the pages, tears mixed with the ink leaving an imprint of redemption in my heart.  

This is my journey but not mine alone. As the Founder of The Little Black Dress Society, it is my hope that you will realize that you are worthy of love and that one day you will share your story and help bring healing to women touched by abuse.

Love, Believe, Dream and Never Stop Dancing!

Amanda

Purchase my book, The Little Black Dress 

Amanda Graybill Recipient of Phoenix Award

 Amanda Graybill, Founder of the Little Black Dress Society will be honored with the Phoenix Award in recognition of  her efforts to end domestic violence in San Antonio. The Phoenix Award is given to individuals who have endeavored to work to change the consuming effects of domestic violence.

The Award is given by the P.E.A.C.E Initiative,  a coalition of public and private institutions, grassroots organizations and individuals working collaboratively to end family violence.  This group works diligently to raise community awareness about the dynamics of domestic violence, the extent of the problem, resources available and safety planning.The Phoenix Award is given during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Phoenix, a mythical bird, when it feels its life is at an end, builds a nest, sets it on fire and is consumed by the flames.  From the ashes, a new Phoenix springs forth to live again.  Like the Phoenix, the abused women must rise from the ashes of an abusive relationship to find life again. 

This award will be presented to various members of our community who have endeavored to work to change the consuming effects of domestic violence.

The 12th Annual Phoenix Award will be presented during a reception on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) located at 3115 W. Ashby, San Antonio, Texas.

Become a Dressmaker

Recently I heard  Lynn Tilton, CEO of Patriarch Partners in an interview say, "Good people together make great things happen."  I couldn't help but to relate that quote to the Little Black Dress Society because we are a good group of women making great things happen in an effort to end abuse.

At the helm of our organization are our leaders whom we call Dressmakers.  Why do we call them Dressmakers?  Actually the name stems from my book called, The Little Black Dress.  Without giving the storyline away, Mandy meets the Dressmaker who designs the perfect little black dress just for her which changes her life forever.  

The Dressmakers or Society Leaders, are our "leading ladies".  They believe in our cause and are passionate about helping women build friendships that go beyond pettiness and competition.  They are creative and enjoy creating ways for women to gather and have fun while giving back.  

Dressmakers have at least one event per month and have the freedom to do what they choose as long as it meets the Little Black Dress mission statement and etiquette.  It might be as simple as inviting members to her home and everyone brings an appetizer to share and a bag of toiletries to donate to the local shelter or it could be a fashion show at the local country club that raises both awareness and funds. The ideas are limitless and the fun part of it is...everyone wins!  You get to network, make new friends, dress up and give back.

Most importantly, we believe our Dressmakers are leading the way for women to have a voice who may not have ever spoken up for this cause.  

If you are interested in starting a Society in your city we would love to hear from you.  We are looking for Dressmakers who want to make a difference.  As we form Societies nationwide we can make a huge impact in ending the abuse of women and you will be a part of it!

Let us know why you would make a great Dressmaker by writing to  contact-us or email me at amanda@lbdsociety.com.

Love, Believe, Dream and Never Stop Dancing!

Amanda Graybill, Founder

History of dressmaking  

The Oxford English Dictionary first recorded 'dressmaker' in 1803. Throughout the nineteenth century and until the rise of ready-to-wear, most women who did not make their own clothes at home employed a dressmaker, who copied or adapted the latest clothing ideas from Paris, London or other fashion centres, based on printed illustrations called fashion plates.