HAMPTON ROADS, Va.— The Black Women’s Self-Care Matters campaign is working to ensure all women can feel confident and beautiful by raising awareness about the disparity in donations for some of the most vulnerable women in our community.
“Your hair is your crown. As Black women, we love our hair; we do so much with our hair. We change our hair so much - our hair just means everything to us,” explained Angie Day, organizer of the Black Women’s Self-Care Matters campaign and founder of the social justice group The Underground 1865.
Day is on a personal mission to make sure all Black women can carry a crown they’re proud to show off, which is why she launched the campaign Friday.
"I’m a Black woman and I know the struggle of being homeless. I know the struggle of being alone, I know the struggle of being— feeling - insecure, not good enough, not having money,” said Day.
Just like hair care products, not all makeup works for brown skin, and that’s why this campaign is focus on finding the right products for women of color.
“We put them in shelters, we give them a place to stay, but they go on these interviews and they don’t look their best or feel their best."
Donations of unused hair and makeup products tailored to women of color, many of which are more expensive than similar products that only work for non-Black women, will be distributed at local shelters.
"If you already have children and you’re trying to figure out how you’re going to eat, your last thing that you’re going to do is buy an $8 or $10 bottle of shampoo or conditioner."
Donations can be dropped off at four local businesses in Norfolk and Virginia Beach:
- Tire House and Rims, 5032 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va.
- Montego Island Grill, 829 Lynnhaven Pkwy., Virginia Beach, Va.
- Boss Queen Soul Café, 871 N Military Hwy., Norfolk, Va.
- Blessed Roots Beauty Supply Store, 7639B Granby St., Norfolk, Va.
All products purchased for donation at Blessed Roots Beauty Supply Store are 40% off.
"I hope that it elevates them; I hope that they’re able to go on interviews and feel more beautiful, they are able to feel better about themselves, they’re able to feel that people care about them within the shelter,” said Day.
The campaign runs until September 9, but Day hopes to get enough support from the community to keep it going for the long haul.
“Black women have held this country together and held families together and communities together for so long, it’s time that we give back to our Black woman and sow back into their lives.”
Hair care brand recommendations are: Shea Moisture, As I Am, Camille Rose, Curls, Mielle Organics, Miss Jessie’s, Crème of Nature and Aunt Jackie’s.
Monetary donations can be made through Cash App at $TheUnderground1865 and Paypal at TheUnderground1865@gmail.com by writing “YWCA” in the subject line.
