ChickSpeak

Odds are you still have your prom dress and most likely it’s collecting dust in your closet back home. If this is the case, allow me to introduce Becky Davis, President of The Priceless Gown Project. (Pictured far left with fellow PGP board members.)

Becky was inspired while working as a mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in 2000.  As her mentee, Shalonda, came to her the year of her first prom, Becky realized that she couldn’t afford all that went into this big night. Becky saw this as an opportunity to create something that would make this priceless memory a reality for Shalonda and many other girls and in 2004, The Priceless Gown Project was founded.

The project collects gently-worn dresses and accessories, and accepts donations so that the prom is made possible for teens who otherwise could not afford to go to prom. Through Becky’s passion we are sure that The Priceless Gown Project will grow to create prom memories for thousands of teens in the years to come. Thank you Becky.

1. You say that prom is a milestone in a woman’s life; what was your prom like? How was yours a “priceless memory?”
My prom was wonderful! Growing up I had pretty strict parents: no parties, no boys, and no late nights. All rules fell to the curb the night of prom…I was allowed to spend the night at a huge after-prom bonfire that almost our entire senior class attended (small school of 120 seniors). Although I regret my choice in dates, I had a blast with my girlfriends and can remember my dress like it was yesterday.

2. Who is the most inspirational woman in your life? What qualities make her inspiring?
I would have to say that Shalonda, my mentee, has been one of the greatest influences in my life. (The Priceless Gown Project was founded as a result from my relationship with Shalonda) Although Shalonda is only 19 years old today, she has taught me a lot about life’s struggles, maintaining hope, fighting stereotypes and being thankful for how much my parents have supported me. Shalonda recently became a young mother and yet again she has taught me some huge life lessons about maintaining your strength as a woman.

I often find inspiration in young people. Unfortunately, I was not very close to the older women in my family which made it difficult to find mentors growing up. As I am getting older, I tend to look at the young women around me to find examples of strength and courage.

3. Where do you see this project in 5 years? How will it continue to grow?
In 5 years I would like to see us acquiring retail space where we can make our project more accessible to the community we serve. Our storage sponsor has been wonderful over the years but it is a goal of ours to locate year-round space where our gowns can be organized and donations can be made. Our second major goal for growth is expanding our network of professional resources by adding to our Board of Directors. We started as a group of friends with a cool idea but want to bring lots of more talented people on board to help us serve more girls. Our sign of success will be reaching thousands of girls every year in a meaningful experience that adds to their excitement of high school graduation.

4. After recognizing a need to support young women who otherwise couldn’t attend prom; what was your next step at making it happen? How did the Priceless Gown Project materialize?
My first step in getting organized was recruiting a group of people who cared as much about the idea as I did. Each person I asked to help was chosen for a different reason and have been critical in moving our project to where we are today. I would say my second step in bringing life to PGP was working for a year with a local university’s law clinic. Their student attorneys helped me think of questions I never would have considered and helped us get into place a secure structure that would be easy to build on.

5. If you could pick any woman as your spokesperson, who would it be? What makes this person the perfect representative for The Priceless Gown Project?
As self-centered as it may sound, I would have to say myself. I have so much passion for this project and my story is very personal. This project means a lot to me and is just one of the ways I try to live my life in honor of the lessons I have learned from Shalonda. I have also watched each year as hundreds of girls have received a gown and stress has melted away. It is hard for young girls to articulate what a donation can mean in their lives but often their smiles and affection say it all.

Use the following links for more information on The Priceless Gown Project and details on how you can donate your gowns.