## How It Began: A Heart for Justice and a Little Black Dress It all started with a simple yet profound question: How can one girl change the world? For me, Bethany Winz, the answer began to take shape in 2012 when I was just sixteen years old. I had learned about the millions of men, women, and children trapped in modern-day slavery, and my heart was stirred to action. When I first heard about human trafficking, my stomach churned with a mix of anger and helplessness. "How can anyone do that to another human being?" I wondered. And the follow-up question was inevitable: "Why aren't we doing something?" This was the moment when I decided to do something, no matter how small it seemed. My plan was to wear the same black dress every day for a year. It was a symbolic gesture to highlight the lack of choices that slaves face. Every day, I would come up with new ways to accessorize the dress, making it look different despite being the same piece of clothing. But it wasn't just about the dress; it was about raising awareness and money for agencies that help victims of human trafficking. ## The Journey Begins: Hope, Discipline, and Disappointment The year began with a sense of hope and determination. I set up a blog where I would post pictures of my outfits and share my experiences. The blog became a platform not only to showcase my creativity with the dress but also to tell the stories of those affected by human trafficking. Each day was a challenge, but it was also an opportunity. I had to be disciplined in my approach, ensuring that I didn't repeat the same look too often and that I kept my message clear. However, there were days when the task felt overwhelming, and the depth of the problem seemed insurmountable. There were moments of disappointment, times when I felt like I was making no difference at all. Despite these challenges, I celebrated small successes along the way. People began to notice my efforts, and the blog started to gain traction. I raised over $8,000 for agencies helping victims of human trafficking, which was a tangible sign that my actions were having an impact. ## Finding My Own Freedom As I stood for freedom for others, I began to realize that I was also on a journey to find my own freedom. My identity had become tied to the things I did, particularly this project. I struggled to believe that I was loved just as I was, regardless of my actions. This internal struggle was a significant part of my journey. I had to confront the fear that I was unlovable, a fear that many of us fight throughout our lives. I had to face this lie with the truth of who God says we are: loved. This was a hard lesson to learn, but it was crucial for my own freedom. "I know that the God I worship is far bigger than the circumstances I face, but rarely do I live like I believe it," I wrote in my blog. This was a constant battle – to align my actions and beliefs with the truth that I was loved, not for what I did, but for who I was. ## The Power of Small Gestures One of the most significant lessons I learned during this year was that small gestures can have lasting impacts. My decision to wear one dress for a year might have seemed trivial to some, but it sparked conversations, raised awareness, and inspired others to take action. As I reflected on my journey, I realized that it wasn't just about the dress or the money raised; it was about the ripple effect of kindness and compassion. "Maybe my dream will inspire someone else's dream ... together we can break through the darkness of slavery," I hoped. This experience taught me that our voices matter, and we can make a difference, no matter how small we feel. It's the collective effort of many small actions that can lead to significant change. ## The Impact and the Legacy By the end of the year, I had raised awareness about human trafficking in ways I never thought possible. The blog had become a community of people who cared deeply about the issue, and the money raised had helped agencies make a tangible difference in the lives of victims. But more importantly, I had found a sense of purpose and identity that went beyond the dress. I had discovered that I was capable of more than I ever imagined, and that my actions could inspire others to take action. As I looked back on the year, I realized that the journey had changed me. "The dress keeps bringing out new qualities in me that I never knew I had," I wrote. It had taught me discipline, creativity, and the value of perseverance. ## Conclusion: A New Generation of Leaders As I reflect on that year, I am reminded of the power of young people to change the world. I am part of a brave new generation of leaders who are following Jesus and engaging with some of the world's most difficult issues and most vulnerable people. My story is not just about one girl and one dress; it's about the potential that lies within each of us to make a difference. It's about the freedom that comes from standing up for what is right and believing in the love and worth that we have, regardless of our actions. In the end, it's not just about changing the world; it's about finding our own freedom in the process. As I said, "I may not be in the slums of India, but I'm still trying to change the world--or at least my world." And I hope that my story will inspire you to do the same.

Here are the key insights from the book "One Dress. One Year." by Bethany Winz: ## The Power of a Simple Idea - Bethany's decision to wear the same black dress for a year was a bold and simple idea to raise awareness about human trafficking, highlighting the limited choices faced by victims. ## Personal Motivation and Action - At 16, Bethany was motivated by learning about human trafficking, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness, and decided to take action despite feeling small. ## Symbolic Gesture and Awareness - The dress was a symbolic gesture to show the lack of choices slaves face, and Bethany used it to raise awareness and money for anti-trafficking agencies through her blog and social media. ## Challenges and Discipline - The project required discipline to maintain creativity with the dress and keep the message clear, despite days of feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. ## Small Gestures, Big Impact - Bethany learned that small gestures can have significant impacts, sparking conversations, raising awareness, and inspiring others to take action against human trafficking. ## Personal Growth and Freedom - The project was also a journey of self-discovery for Bethany, helping her find her own freedom by confronting fears and understanding she was loved regardless of her actions. ## Community and Support - The success of the project was heavily supported by family, friends, mentors, and social media followers, demonstrating the importance of a support network in advocacy efforts. ## Financial and Awareness Impact - By the end of the year, Bethany raised over $8,000 for anti-trafficking organizations and created a community of people caring deeply about the issue. ## Legacy and Purpose - The project gave Bethany a sense of purpose and identity beyond the dress, teaching her discipline, creativity, and perseverance, and inspiring others to take action. ## Collective Effort for Change - The experience emphasized that collective small actions can lead to significant change, encouraging others to find their own ways to make a difference. ## New Generation of Leaders - Bethany's story highlights the potential of young people to change the world by engaging with difficult issues and standing up for what is right.