Juniorettes' purple bow campaign begins locally

Franklin County’s Dixie Daisy Juniorettes organization is seeking to promote public awareness related to the issue of domestic violence during October.

Juniorettes members are now selling purple pull-string bows — the unifying symbol of courage, survival, honor and dedication to end domestic violence — for $5 each.

“We would love for everyone to display these bows at their homes and businesses throughout the month to paint our communities purple and to show domestic violence has no place in Franklin County,” Juniorettes sponsor Connie Johnston said.

She pointed out incidents of domestic violence are the leading cause of injury to women in the United States, and instances are more common than automobile accidents, muggings and cancer deaths combined.

While October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Johnston went on to say these acts are not confined to a calendar and men can also be victims.

“The purple bows serve to tell everyone that we all stand against domestic violence and that we are speaking out, as a community, to stop this senseless violence,” she continued.

Statistics show more than 790,000 Mississippians will experience some form of domestic violence during their lifetime.

Specifically one in three women and one in four men have been victims of some form of domestic violence in the Magnolia State.

Johnston encouraged area residents to not only learn about domestic violence during this time, but also what roles they can play in assisting victims.

The Juniorettes organization, which is made of up local high school girls seeking to serve their communities through public service, is part of the General Federated Women’s Clubs-Mississippi Federated Women’s Clubs group.

Those interested in purchasing purple ribbons can do so through Juniorettes members or by contacting Johnston at 601-248-9510.