our 2nd Annual Fun Run was a huge success!

We are so fortunate to have so much community support-
Thanks to Thai Wellness for the wonderful complimentary massages!  To our Start Line Sponsor, Tysons Biergarten and Paymon for the fun warm-up!  To Mayor Laurie DiRocco, Senator Chap Petersen,
& Delegate Mark Keam for helping us kick off the race!  Thanks to our Mile Marker 0.5 Sponsor, Cause Finder and to our Mile Marker 1.0 Sponsor Skintelligence as well as our Water Station Sponsor Princess Jewelers!  Everyone really enjoyed the coffee from Caffe Amouri, and the Bananas & Water, Compliments of Granlund Realty.  Swag Bags were also very popular with Hair Ties, compliments of our Premium Sponsor, East Meets West Yoga Center, and sponsored by Astoria Laser Clinic & Med Spa, and T-Shirts sponsored by Vienna Shopping Center and printed by DMV Tees.  Enjoy the slideshow below- thanks to the amazing photography of Kevin Krisko's nonprofit-  images for Good who brought student photographers Jonathan Avalos and Kukuwa Ghansah to help preserve all of the fun memories!

Thanks so much to all the businesses/individuals who donated raffle items! BelleMode Intimates, Trousseau, Crossfit Tysons Corner, SourceCore Studio, Cycle Chi, Orange Theory Vienna, Delicioso Decor, Cuppetts Dance Studio, Brooks, GrassRoots Fitness, Magnolia Dessert and Coffee Bar, Muse Paintbar, Bards Alley, Calypso Salon, Renewal Tide Massage,  Ten Pehn Restaurant, Cafe Renaissance, Cava, Caffe Amouri, The Nest Egg Fairfax, East Meets West Yoga Center, Brett Cordeau Photography, Anna Whitson-Donaldson, Ragnar & Ambassador Emily Christianson, Sissy Gift Boxes, PRRunners
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Bouquet of Excellence- May 13th 2-4:30 pm- Pinot's Palette- 12976 Highland Crossing Dr STE D, Herndon, VA 20171
Paint a beautiful picture that will brighten up any home.  Customize your painting colors!  A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to BRAWS http://www.braws.org/ 
Donations of new (tag on) bras and panties are welcomed and Pinot's Palette will thank you with a $10 card towards a future painting class 
Painting It Forward:
A paint and sip class with an extra dose of heart and soul. When you buy a seat in a Painting It Forward class, you're making a donation to a nonprofit or community fundraiser.  Click HERE to register.
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Thanks to everyone who joined BRAWS and the UDC Legislation Clinic for a facilitated discussion exploring the impact of a lack of access to menstrual products on girls in schools, women and girls in shelters, and women in correctional facilities. Last November, BRAWS and the Legislation Clinic hosted a Congressional Briefing that amplified the voices of the women and girls most affected. Now they present a report that captures and contextualizes their stories and examines the local, state and federal legislation and policies that have been proposed and passed to meet their critical needs. Participants got to hear more about the report and the experiences of underserved women and girls nationwide- and to engage in a dialogue on it's potential use in future advocacy. Questions? Contact Gabriel @ gabriel.roscom@udc.edu

Lunch & learn

This DEFINITELY was a top moment in the history of BRAWS! Shelter staff from Arlington, Annandale, Falls Church, Alexandria, Reston, Fairfax, Leesburg, Manassas, and Silver Springs visited our office for our first ever "Lunch & Learn." We loved the opportunity to discuss our services and capacity to support our community partners.  The individuals in these pictures are doing incredible work empowering women and girls in our community and lifting them up from poverty to independence. We felt very fortunate to be able to facilitate such rich conversation and look forward to the next time! Thanks so much for participating Shelter House Doorways for Women and Families, Homestretch Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter (LAWS)/Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice, NVFS Bethany House of Northern Virginia, Inc. and Interfaith Works Carpenter's Shelter.
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Tickets SOLD OUT 2 weeks before the event!!!  Huge thanks to our Sponsors, Vendors, Raffle, Silent Auction
and Dessert Donors and of course- Our Guests!! 
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February 11th VIP Shopping All Day @ Undeniable Boutique- UB is hosting a VIP Shopping Party for BRAWS Volunteers and Friends.  There were refreshments and UB donated a portion of the sales to BRAWS!  UB is a small, locally owned business with two locations in Northern Virginia.  They have been voted Best Women's Clothing Boutique in NoVa 6 Consecutive Years.  Shopping Made Easy.  Shopping Made Fun.
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On December 15th- Dara Global Arts Gallery in Vienna hosted- Fusion Art After Dark: A Winter Celebration. The event was a night of cultural fusion designed to celebrate art, music and international talent!  Dara Global Arts Gallery graciously donated 10% of ticket sales were donated to BRAWS.  Thanks to the gallery for a wonderful evening and for their ongoing support!
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BRAWS- with the help of the legislation Clinic at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D- Va)- held a Congressional Briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 29th from 10-11:30 am in Capital Visitor's Center (SVC) Room 203-02.  This Briefing, entitled "Voices of Women and Girls on Menstruation, Dignity, and the Issue of Access,” consisted of women and girls sharing their stories of how limited or restricted access to menstrual products – in shelters, schools, and correctional facilities – had impacted their lives. Through this open dialogue, we hoped to illustrate lapses in current policy in order to demonstrate the need for additional, inclusive policy solutions.

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November 28, 7-8 pm @ Bards Alley, 110 Church Street NW, Vienna- Periods Gone Public: A Conversation with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf. Bards Alley, in partnership with BRAWS was pleased to host author Jennifer Weiss-Wolf who signed and discussed her book, "Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equity".  This is the first book to explore menstruation in the current political landscape and investigate the wave of period activism taking the world by storm.  A local panel of activists and legislators, including Va. Delegate Mark Keam also joined the discussion.  .
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November 13th, 6-8:30 pm @ The National Conference Center in Leesburg.  LEARN! ADVISE! ACTION!  Dulles Executive Women of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Loudoun Commission on Women and Girls joined together for an inspiring evening to benefit BRAWS.  Information about who we are and who we serve was shared with attendees as well as a discussion on ways to get involved and support BRAWS mission and growing presence in Loudoun County. 
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Thursday, November 9, 2017  6:30 - 9:00 pm,  11911 Freedom Dr., 8th Floor, Reston, VA 20190- BRAWS participated in The Big Give, Giving Circle of Hope's year-end celebration, which introduces the community to the power of collective giving. This year’s Big Give featured keynote speaker, Catherine Read, strategist, activist and advocate for DC-area non profits.  Three vetted local nonprofits, including BRAWS each presented their programs.  
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 We were so thankful to be included in Belle Mode's 6th Annual Bras for Hope Fundraiser!  They had plenty of beautiful bras available to be purchased for $5 each to donate to BRAWS!
Thanks to Athleta Tysons for hosting a collection drive for BRAWS in the month of October!
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October 27, 2017 All Day- Fashionable Fundraiser @ Talbot's Tyson's Corner Center.  Thanks to all who came out for a day of shopping at Talbot's and to Talbot's for donating 10% of proceeds from BRAWS Shoppers to us.  Our own Vicky Hodges was there to host as well!! 
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Thanks and Happy 3rd Birthday to Social Burger in Vienna!  They generously donated 5% of all in store and online sales on their birthday to BRAWS!  If you didn't get to stop by on their big day- today is just as good a day to grab a delicious burger! 
We had such a great time at our booth at Vienna's OctoBRAWSfest!  We enjoyed meeting all of you and are grateful for all of the donations we received!  If you missed playing BRAWS PONG, we will be playing it again at Mardi Bras so buy your ticket now! We are so thankful once again to Jon and Stephanie Granlund of Granlund Realty for sponsoring our booth, to all of our fabulous volunteers and to our fearless OctoBRAWSfest leader- Sarah Foote!
Thanks to M2M who held a Community Cabaret, Benefit for BRAWS- This event was written, produced, and, performed solely by local Washington D.C. metropolitan area women and mothers raising funds for BRAWS. Featuring music from a variety of Broadway and Off- Broadway musicals, the story line unfolded, telling tales of BRAWS and the women it supports. The impetus and compelling stories behind why support is so key.  Woven together, the stories with the classic stage musical sound, M2M builds a collective spirit which encourages human community.
 Thanks to everyone who attended the Hope & Healing for Humanity Concert To Benefit BRAWS!  Special thanks to LaTiDo Productions who put on an AMAZING show at Jammin Java for us! The show was directed by Charles Wright, music directed by Taylor Rambo, produced by DC cabaret host Don Michael Mendoza and created by Wright to spread awareness of BRAWS through song, spoken word, sensitivity. 
*Thanks Also To Our Sponsors: SourceCore Studio of Vienna, The Insight Shop of Vienna, Cycle Chi Vienna, Savvy Rest of Vienna, COGO Interactive, Calypso Salon, Music Together of Vienna, Gimga Design Group, Liberty Language Services, NRC Landscape Construction, Dara Global Arts Gallery, 1st Stage Tysons

Check out videos from Hope and Humanity performers- MC Intro, 2 Deep, Sylvern Groomes Jr., Emily Zickler & Caroline Dubberly, Sarah Lawson, Christopher Richardson, Emily Zickler, Don Michael Mendoza, Rachel Levitan, 2 Deep- Art of Listening, Awa Sal Secka.             
Thanks to everyone for making our Volunteer Appreciation and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony such a huge success!!  We are so grateful for the support we have received over the last few years and want to thank you all!  We are especially grateful to Ascend Physical Therapy and Wellness Center and Nancy McMahon for providing our new office space at a very reduced cost!!  Thanks to everyone who brought us a Housewarming Gift- the new, with tags, bras and underwear as well as feminine hygiene products we collected will be distributed to the shelters and school aged girls we serve!  Thanks to Social Burger for the amazing sliders, to Vienna Vintner for the fabulous wine and Deco Bake for the unbelievably gorgeous and delicious cookies!! THANKS to our honored guests:, Lieutenant Governor, Ralph Northam, Senator Chap Peterson, Delegate Jennifer Boysko, Delegate Kenneth Plum, Mayor of Vienna Laurie DiRocco, Councilmember Carey Sienicki, Councilmember Howard Springsteen, Vienna Town/Business Liaison Committee Chair Friderike Bulter, Executive Director of the Vienna Business Association Peggy James, Vanessa Maddox, Leesburg Town Council Candidate and Friends of Guest House staff.  We were also very fortunate to have a visit from Elizabeth May Coopersmith from 100 Women Who Care- Loudoun County who brought a generous donation on behalf of this group.  Special thanks to all of the BRAWS Volunteers (most especially Emily Schofield who decorated the office so that it looks AMAZING and coordinated the whole event!).  Finally, thanks to our Founder and Executive Director, Holly Seibold, whose vision and dedication inspires us all!
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On Saturday, September 9th at 9 am-  Potomac River Running Store, Brooks Running, Caboose Brewing Company and Spokes Etc. hosted a Run-Bike-Run three person relay all to benefit BRAWS! Teams started from the Village at Leesburg and finished at the grand opening celebration at PR’s newest location in Vienna- they ran and biked the W&OD trail for a 24-mile relay for BRAWS!  Thanks also to Brooks for donating a bra to BRAWS for every 10 sold at any PRR this month! 
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On .August 16th, Locker Room Sports Bar and Grill 502 W Broad Street, Falls Church donated 15% of the proceeds of sales for the day to BRAWS!  It was a fun time and a great excuse not to cook that day!  Thanks so much to the Locker Room and Peggy James!!
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On July 30th, SourceCoreStudio in Vienna held a beginner friendly yoga class and educational wine tasting, with 15% of bulk order purchases benefit BRAWS!  Big thanks to OneHope Wines, Jenn Brown and SourceCoreStudio for their continued support!
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For the month of JULY, Skintelligence of Vienna
hosted a collection drive for BRAWS!  Thanks to Skintelligence and all of you who donated to BRAWS!
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Thanks to Breathe, Body and Mind Studio in West Springfield for holding a the Beauty & BRAWS at the Barre event to benefit BRAWS in July! Everyone who signed up was treated to a FREE 30-min. express barre class taught by Certified Booty Barre Instructor Amanda Hencken. Refreshments were served and lots of skin care/cosmetic products were available to sample from Beautycounter. A percentage of the proceeds from purchases were donated to BRAWS . 
On July 8th BRAWS participated in a Kendra Gives Back Event
 at Kendra Scott in Mosaic-There were sips, sweets & jewels- and 20% of the proceeds benefited BRAWS.  Thanks to Kendra Scott for their continued support!!
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Huge thanks to everyone who came out for our Fun Run!  It was great to see so many BRAWS fans out showing their support!  Special thanks to our Sponsors-Grass Roots Fitness and East Meets West Yoga Center!!  We are also grateful to Granlund Realty, Caffe Amouri  and the Thai Wellness Center ! Big thanks  to Vienna Mayor Laurie DiRocco for her support!  We collected many items that will be greatly appreciated by local shelters!
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May 8- Politics & Pads- Providing Dignity to Women and Girls in Va-

BRAWS was honored to welcome Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, Candidate for Governor, Delegate Jennifer B. Boysko, Sponsor of the Dignity Act and Delegate Mark Keam to Caboose Brewing Co. for a night of networking and discussion.  Thanks to all who attended and to Caboose Brewing Co.who donated a portion of the night's sales to BRAWS!
On March 27th the Hope and Healing for Humanity Concert was held to benefit BRAWS. This very special event was presented by LaTiDo Productions and held at Bistro Bistro in DC. Special thanks to: Charles Wright who directed the production, Music Director Taylor Rambo, MC Dave Johnston and Producer Don Michael Mendoza. Featured Artists included: 2 Deep, Caroline Dubberly, Sylvern Groomes, Jr., Sarah D. Lawson, Rachel Levitin, Christopher Richardson, Awa Sal Secka, and Emily Zickler. 

Check out some video clips from the event- MC Intro, 2 Deep, Sylvern Groomes Jr., Emily Zickler & Caroline Dubberly, Sarah Lawson, Christopher Richardson, Emily Zickler, Don Michael Mendoza, Rachel Levitan, 2 Deep- Art of Listening, Holly Seibold talks about BRAWS, Charles Wright Gives Thanks to BRAWS, Awa Sal Secka.
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Mardi Bras- SOLD OUT!  On February 24th, 2017 BRAWS held our 3rd Annual Mardi Bras Fundraiser at Sea Pearl Restaurant in Falls Church Virginia. This event was a huge success thanks to everyone who attended and our sponsors: Savvy Rest of Vienna, Stonegate Remodeling, Somerville Homes, Victor and Francesca Atkins, Gina Meyers @ Intercoastal Mortgage, JDA Homes,
Nicole Van DDS and Charles Schwab.