LESS EGO / MORE SOUL

I’ve always loved my long hair – in fact I am still very much attached to it.

Many indigenous cultures say that one’s power is held in the hair, thus the longer your hair is, the more power and respect they give to you. In fact, in such cultures it is a sin to take scissors to hair at all.

Now I don’t personally believe in such superstitions, but I do recognise a large part of my femininity is attached to having long hair and I know I am so lucky to be blessed with a full head.

But saying all that, I am willing to give up my precious locks in order to give voice to the women who, through often very violent and inhumane experiences have come to feel (at the very least), stirpped of their power, dignity and self-percieved beauty.

While shaving my head bears no real comparison to their experiences, it is a symbol of my desire to help such women.

Now for those of you who are wondering what the hell V-Day is and why I have chosen this charity over others, here is a little information:

V-Day is a global activist movement, fighting to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sex slavery. Your donations will go twards opening safe-houses, healing centers, schools and orphanages and providing education and healthcare for women all over the world.

Because V-Day operates as a “virtual organization” administrative costs remain low. This means that 86 cents of every dollar you give goes directly to ending violence against women and girls.

For more information, you can please watch this TED talk with the founder, Eve Ensler, check out the video I have uploaded (Vimeo link at the top of this article) or visit the V-Day website here.

To help raise funds for this amazing charity, I have decided to commit to shaving my head on the 1st of November 2013 (the day after my 23d birthday).

Seeing as we are most probably in different countries, for those of you who want to witness the big shave or are just curious to see how I look with a shaved head I will be uploading some photos and video coverage following the big day.

In the meantime, please give a little (or a lot) and share this link with some friends, because I know there are women and girls out there who will appreciate your kindness.

*** Please Donate Here! ***