Red Dress Event

article by: Spencer Jordan

On Thursday, February 28, 2019, the Century House in Acushnet, Massachusetts hosted the 16th Annual YWCA Red Dress Fashion Show to raise awareness for heart disease in women; particularly women of color, older women, and low-income women. Considering that heart disease is the #1 killer of women, the primary message of the event is that heart disease does not care what you wear. All proceeds from the fashion show benefit the YWCA HEARTPlus Program, which assists women with obtaining health screenings needed for them to determine their risk of getting heart disease. Women attending the fashion show wore red dresses from leading designers who have joined the women and the heart disease movement to raise women’s awareness of the dangers of heart disease.

As one of the event’s Betsey Johnson sponsors, GNBVT had a vital role in the event.  GNBVT Music Club provided entertainment for the cocktail hour.  The fashion design students created and modeled two dresses for the event.  The fashion design student designers and models walking the runway were  Ashley Clark and Alyssa Oliver.  GNBVT alumni, Meighread Dandeneau who is Miss New Bedford 2019, and Jaime Uretsky, also walked the runway.  Finally, GNB Voc-Tech’s assistant principal, Mr. Williams, was an escort at the event.  The event was a fun night and GNBVT is proud to participate in the night particularly due to the YMCA’s mission for the community.   The YWCA is committed to giving women a sense of hope that they can reduce their risk of heart disease and empowering them to do so.