Denim Day

Denim Day has been internationally celebrated since 1999 in protest of an Italian High Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. Enraged by the verdict, women of the Italian Legislature protested the decision by wearing jeans. As news of the decision spread, so did the protest.

A not-for-profit organization in California first celebrated Denim Day in the United States in 1999. Since then several entities in other states have hosted events, but there is no organized effort. Missouri does not want to diminish any of the outstanding work accomplished by these organizations; rather, we propose to unite our efforts by branding Denim Day with a national logo symbolizing rape education and awareness (much like the red dress pin for women and cardiovascular disease or the pink ribbon for breast cancer).

To accomplish this mission the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office on Women’s Health and the Injury and Violence Prevention Program invited the Textile and Apparel Management department at the University of Missouri-Columbia to collaborate with us on this project. Each student in a computer assisted design class created a logo, and a panel was assembled to select the design that best represents Denim Day.  We believe this logo is an empowering symbol for rape education and awareness.

Students also designed bookmarks, fliers and posters for the Denim Day event. The stitching class designed and stitched denim bags, sought donations for t-shirts, flip-flops and toiletries. The Restorative Justice Program in the Missouri Department of Corrections stitched drawstring pants. The bags were filled and donated to the University Hospital Emergency Department to be given to rape victims.

We invite you to join us in promoting this logo as a national symbol. To assist you and your efforts, we assembled this toolkit through funding made possible by the Federal Office on Women’s Health. The CD contains all the materials needed to plan and implement a Denim Day event in your state, city or local community. The bookmark, poster and flyer are ready to print, high resolution PDFs. Many printing and copy centers have the capability to edit PDFs to include personalized information, such as date, time, location and sponsor recognition. Also included in your kit is the Denim Day lapel pin and information on ordering a supply for your event. This toolkit is also available on our website, www.dhss.mo.gov/womenshealth.

With your support, there will be a unified message to step forward and take a stand against rape.

Tuck VanDyne, Chief
Office on Women’s Health