The Little Black Dress Society, Inc

Moving to a New Blog Location!

2010-07-22T22:39:00.000-05:00

It has been an exciting year since launching the Little Black Dress Society last September to a few of my friends here in San Antonio. Here's a little timeline:

Launched Sept 2009 with 14 women in San Antonio, TX
Started having LBD Society events to raise awareness for abused women
Received the Trademark for Little Black Dress Society Spring 2010! Yeah!
The last 6 months have been spent organizing the foundation of LBD Society i.e., working with a design team on my website, writing the copy, and developing the materials for membership
June 2010 Launched 100 Dollars, 100 Donors, 100 Days Campaign to raise money for Kendall County Women's Shelter
July 2010 Website went live!
Press Releases went out
Media exposure with Kens5

I want to thank all who have followed the blog whether on Blogspot, on Facebook, or Twitter. This has been my way of letting you know about Little Black Dress Society and its mission. We will continue to be on Facebook and Twitter so you'll keep getting the up-to-date news!

Now that the website is launched (which is beautiful and powerful!), I hope that you will continue to keep up with us and stay tuned into what the Little Black Dress Society is doing to impact women's lives touched by abuse.

We will feature our own Members stories. Some may come from their own personal experiences and some will come from their passion to make a difference in society by being a part of this organization.

So please stay in touch with us. Visit often at Little Black Dress Society and click on Amanda's Blog!

We will be waiting for you in our little black dresses!

Remember... Love, Believe, and Dream! and NEVER STOP DANCING!!!

Fondly,

Amanda

Emotional Abuse

2010-07-08T11:48:00.000-05:00

emotional abuse:Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that is psychologically harmful ^{[citation needed]}. Such abuse is often associated with situations of power imbalance, such as abusive relationships, bullying, child abuse and in the workplace.

When people think of domestic abuse, they often picture battered women who have been physically assaulted. But not all abusive relationships involve violence. Just because you’re not battered and bruised doesn’t mean you’re not being abused. Many women suffer from emotional abuse, which is no less destructive. In fact, it is harder for a woman to leave an emotionally abusive relationship because it isn't physical. Most women who are emotionally abused feel trapped and depend on their partner.

I have spoken to a lot of women who have been emotionally abused. They feel beaten down, unworthy and have very poor self-esteem. The scars of emotional abuse are very real, and they run deep. In fact, emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse—sometimes even more so.

Emotional abuse strips away at the core of a woman's heart and soul!

Regaining ones self-esteem is not an easy journey but it is possible. Seek out a pastor, counselor, support group or network of friends. Do something for yourself that makes you feel good about who you are. Volunteer. Find a way to express yourself. Don't surrender to isolation!

The Little Black Dress Society is a service organization committed to ending the abuse of women. Our desire is to inspire women to LOVE, BELIEVE AND DREAM again.
Stay informed and sign up for updates at Little Black Dress Society.

Amanda Graybill, Founder

Find out more about Emotional Abuse and seek Help.

Real Women, Real Stories, Real Help

2010-06-24T09:42:00.000-05:00

It's easy to think abuse won't happen to you or to not have a concern because you haven't been affected by it.

Truth is, abuse happens to one in four women.

Chances are you sit by someone at church that's been abused, work beside a woman in the next cubicle, or share in the celebration of your child's graduation by a woman dying inside because of abuse.

I read this morning, "Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you." Wow, that got my attention. I hope it gets your attention as well. How can we be so caught up by our own interest while women all over the world are crying out for help?

These are:

REAL WOMEN
with REAL STORIES
who NEED REAL HELP!

Please help us take a stand against the abuse of women one city at a time!

Join our Campaign

Thank you! Sign up at Little Black Dress Society to stay informed.

Launching One Hundred Dollars, One Hundred Donors, One Hundred Days!

2010-06-22T14:45:00.000-05:00

We are excited to launch our first LBD Society campaign today. We are raising money for the Kendall County Women's Shelter in Boerne, Texas where there currently is no shelter. I am asking for your help to make this campaign a success to set an example for other Societies to follow in their cities! Many small towns across the nation are without shelters.

When our website launches next month, women across the nation will be able to start a Society in their community and kick off their own campaign to build more shelters.

Our goal for the One Hundred Dollars, One Hundred Donors, One Hundred Days campaign is to raise $10,000 in 100 days to donate to the shelter, slated to break ground in September 2010. We challenge 100 members, individuals, groups, or companies to match the original $100 given to me.

As the Founder, I was given a $100 bill and the challenge to make a difference in my community. I took that $100 and matched it with $100 of my own and now I'm challenging others to do the same.

Women living in Kendall County have to go 30 or more miles to a shelter. In most cases this means uprooting their children from school and/or leaving their jobs. Because of the distance, the likelihood of them leaving an abusive situation is very slim.

Get involved by printing, filling out and mailing this pledge card or donate online at the Kendall County Women's Shelter website. Make sure to mention LBD Society in the message field of the online form.

Join the challenge! Encourage your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family to participate. Together we CAN make an impact on women’s lives touched by abuse!

Sincerely,

Amanda Graybill, Founder
Sign up for future updates at www.LittleBlackDressSociety.com

Coming Soon!

2010-06-21T10:20:00.000-05:00

It's really happening! Our website is scheduled to launch in July 2010!
We are very excited because this means women across the nation will be able to join the Little Black Dress Society, start their own "Society", become a "Dress Maker" and begin impacting women's lives touched by abuse. We have a great team of individuals behind this putting all their expertise into building a great site that I know you are going to love.

Keep watching for updates!

Sincerely,

Amanda Graybill, Founder

Little Black Dress Society is a service organization committed to ending the abuse of women. We are women working and playing together to build awareness, to raise funds, and to positively impact women's lives touched by abuse by inspiring them to love, believe, and dream.

Follow us on Face Book

Why the Little Black Dress is So Important to Me?

2010-06-16T12:28:00.000-05:00

I'v been asked why the little black dress is so important to me on numerous occasions. It's a whole lot more than being in style or looking sexy! When I received my first LBD, I was just 4 years old. That dress is still with me hanging in a prominent place in my closet as a reminder of how the vision for LBD Society started. My birthday is coming up in just over a week and that dress will be 51 years old! Wow, I can't believe I just told you my age! Oh well, with age comes freedom!

I had no idea why that dress was so important to me until my adult years when I was working through some things with a counselor. Given to me by a friend's mother, it became like a security blanket in many ways at a very tumultuous time in my life. My home life had changed when my father became disabled and lost his job, our home, and our social status. That is when the drinking started and my father's personality changed. I found myself hiding to stay out of the way and covered my ears so I didn't hear the outburst of anger toward my mother. The thing is, my father was a good man. He just reacted to a bad situation the wrong way which led him to become something he was not.

I believe that many men who are abusive, whether physically or verbally, are angry men. Seeking help early on can save a marriage or relationship and save the children who are the recipients of the abuse as well. An important lesson I have learned is this,"It is not my fault".

If you are reading this and you are in an abusive relationship, remember, it is not your fault! Seek help and encourage your spouse, partner, friend to seek help as well. Being healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically allows you to LOVE, BELIEVE, AND DREAM again!

Go out and wear your LBD and live out your DREAM!

Amanda, Founder
Little Black Dress Society

Stay tuned in through FACEBOOK and watch for upcoming website launching in July!

Exciting Things in the Works!

2010-06-11T16:07:00.000-05:00

We have been hard at work behind the scenes and great things are happening!

Little Black Dress Society is now registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
We will be implementing a non-profit in 2011, Little Black Dress Society Foundation
We have been working diligently with a reputable marketing firm to redesign our logo, build a professional website, develop our brand, and assist with social media. We believe that we have chosen one of the best companies with a talented staff committed to our cause!
Our official website launch is slated to occur in July 2010

This has been all encompassing, but it will be well worth it in the end. Once the website launches, women throughout the nation will be able to start their own Societies with their friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. and begin impacting women's lives touched by abuse.

Watch for important updates, announcements, upcoming events as well as vital facts about abuse on Facebook at Little Black Dress Society.

Sincerely,

Amanda Graybill, Founder

White House Black Market Girls' Night Out

2010-05-25T11:54:00.000-05:00

White House Black Market proved to be a great place for LBD's! Our Girls' Night Out San Antonio was a lot of fun. What could be better than trying on clothes, laughing with your girlfriends and giving back to "society"?

The Little Black Dress Society is a service organization committed to ending the abuse of women. We are a society of women working and playing together to build awareness, to raise funds, and to positively impact the lives of women touched by abuse through inspiring them to Love, Believe, and Dream.

Join us on Facebook at The-Little-Black-Dress-Society-Inc

Baylor Women's League Spring Event

2010-04-11T21:22:00.001-05:00

Personalize a free photo slideshow

I had the opportunity to share about The Little Black Dress Society with a great group of women from Baylor Women's League. It was held at White House Black Market in San Antonio. The perfect place to find the perfect LBD! Thank you gals for inviting me to speak and thank you to all the staff at White House Black Market for hosting this event! ~Amanda, Founder

BELIEVE

2010-03-23T12:06:00.000-05:00

BELIEVE. I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. ~Vince Lombardi

The vision for Little Black Dress Society™ came to me seven years ago! I remember it as if it were yesterday. While sitting at my desk in our home in Huntington Beach, California one afternoon, the whole idea played out in my mind as if it were a gift for me to unwrap. That’s when I began doing research, writing down ideas as they would come to me, even drawing my logo. I must have drawn that dress hundreds of times on scrap pieces of paper waiting for appointments, or on restaurant napkins and over and over again in my journals.

I believe it was and is a gift from God because He would continue to bring it to my mind. There seemed to always be a reminder, a nudge, or a pull (especially when it came down to my husband, family and close friends). They were always asking about it when they watched me get distracted and begin something else. And ever so gently pull my wondering heart (that is so easily distracted) back to reality.

So why didn’t I move forward years ago? I will be very honest with you. I didn’t believe enough in myself. Call it fear of failure or fear of success. Just call it F. E .A .R… BIG FAT FEAR!

How often has FEAR kept you from BELIEVEING enough in yourself and your dreams to hold you back from fulfilling what you know in your heart you are suppose to do?

It took a very difficult personal journey for me to open my eyes, remove the blind-fold and BELIEVE. Through this journey, I wrote my book, The Little Black Dress, an inspirational fiction about a young woman who runs away from home looking for love in all the wrong places.

Even after the book was released in 2007 I still had doubts, fears, and unbelief. I am so thankful for my family who kept reminding me this is what I am suppose to do, friends who wouldn’t let me give up on myself, and my God who from the time He formed me in my mother’s womb knew my destiny and continued to pull me forward!

Someone once told me, “Pain pushes you but vision pulls you. Let vision pull you”.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

So here’s the question, do you BELIEVE in the beauty of your dreams?

What is holding you back? Who is there to cheer you on?

What steps do you need to take to move forward?

Theodore Roosevelt wrote, “Believe you can and you're halfway there.”

No wonder he was such a great President of the United States! He had a great woman behind him!

As Founder of The Little Black Dress Society™, I want to inspire you to BELIEVE in yourself, BELIEVE in others and BELIEVE that with God all things are possible!

BELIEVE! Amanda Graybill, Founder

We are a “Society” of women who love LBD’s, making new friends, networking, laughing, crying, supporting one another by sharing our own struggles and triumphs, and impacting women’s lives touched by abuse.

For more information about The Little Black Dress Society contact me at amanda@thelittleblackdresssociety.com
The Little Black Dress Society™ is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; love, believe, dream℠ and the logo are service marks of The Little Black Dress Society™.

LOVE

2010-03-12T13:30:00.001-06:00

Teaching a class recently on Self-Esteem we began by talking about LOVE. It's a word that is certainly thrown around alot. It's said even when you don't mean it. It's said to a friend, a lover, a husband, a child, a mother, a father.  There is the LOVE of God, the LOVE of money, the LOVE of possessions, the LOVE of addictions.  Books are written about LOVE, movies made about LOVE, songs sung about LOVE.

Truth is we all want to be loved don't we?  Some feel more loved than others, some don't feel loved at all. Some long for love even if it's a distance love. Some long to be told, "I LOVE YOU".

There was a time in my life I didn't feel loved. A time when I felt abandoned and unloved. A time when I ran from love. Putting up a wall so even those that desperately wanted to love me couldn't. Why?
For those of us who have been touched by abuse we put up protective measures to keep a distance from being hurt again. Feelings of guilt, regret, and shame are carried like a heavy sack that weighs us down.

Desperately we seek love in all the wrong places, those that are familiar with the dysfunctional ways we received love as a child or teen. Not because we enjoyed being in a painful situation but because that's what we are use to. We think that is how we are suppose to be treated.

I don't pretend to know all the answers. Every woman's story is different. However, I know my story and I've heard countless stories from other women. Coming out on the other side is a journey of healing and restoration.  A part of my healing journey was writing my story. My book, The Little Black Dress, is a story of redemption, restoration, and LOVE.

I want to be beautiful

And make you stand in awe

Look inside my heart

And be amazed

I want to hear you say

Who I am is quite enough

I just want to be worthy of love

And beautiful.

Bethany Dillon, "Beautiful"

No matter your journey...you are beautiful and you are LOVED.

PASSION

2010-03-04T09:11:00.000-06:00

I was listening to a motivational CD in my car yesterday that really spoke about passion. I love that word, PASSION. It seems in life it's easy to get side-tracked when it comes to passion because life gets in the way or we choose to do something that is an easier path than the one we're passionate about. I am most guilty of that. My husband and children will tell you how many times I've tried starting my own business selling this or that for this or that company only to find out that I really wasn't passionate about it!

Thankfully, they encouraged me to remember the vision God gave me for Little Black Dress Society. Through their encouragement and God's gentle reminder that this is what He had for me to do, I stepped out in faith. This is MY PASSION! Women need to know that they are loved. They need to know that they are not junk. They need to know that they are not doormats to be stepped on and battered and bruised physically or emotionally! This is my journey but not mine alone. If you are passionate about impacting women's lives touched by abuse I want to hear from you! We need you! There are so many women out there hurting, feeling ashamed, embarrassed, hiding behind a blindfold of hopelessness and pain. They need YOU!

Oswald Chamber says, "you will know the need is never the call: the need is the opportunity.

~Amanda, Founder
Little Black Dress Society

Painting with a Purpose

2010-03-03T19:10:00.000-06:00

When inviting people to come out and paint "a little black dress" with us most responses are, "I don't know how to paint!" So...here's the thing, YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO PAINT!!! If my husband who has never painted in his life can paint a "little black dress" anyone can! (No offense Randy) He put his heart into it and when I showed some paintings to a group of women I teach "self esteem" to, it was his painting that brought them to tears!

So why are we doing this project? So each person who joins us can give something of themselves they didn't know they had to give! In other words, you will discover something about yourself...the ARTIST in you. And the passion behind the artwork will reveal the passion you have for this project! We are asking you to give up your "masterpiece" to be auctioned off at our Spring Event. 100% of the proceeds will go to raise money for the battered women's shelter in Kendall County, Texas.

For $30 you get to discover something about yourself you might not know, create art, give back to society, have fun, laugh, enjoy the company of other men and women who are there for the same reason!

Please join us! March 26th at 7pm ~Artisan's Alley ~ at

Painting with a Twist Call to reserve your spot! ~Amanda

The Little Black Dress - MORE Magazine

2010-02-24T19:32:00.000-06:00

The Little Black Dress - MORE Magazine

Please help The Little Black Dress Society gain recognition by voting for this story!!

Thank you friends!

Amanda

Coco Before Chanel

2010-02-24T13:55:00.000-06:00

The inspiring story of the woman who created

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS! http://www.sheknows.com/articles/813743

Watch the film clip from sheknows.com

LOVE, BELIEVE, DREAM

2010-02-19T18:23:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite authors is Erwin Raphael McManus. I met him once at a booksigning in Irvine, California and he gave me his book, Seizing Your Divine Moment. That was 7 years ago and I've read that book many times since then. Why? Because 7 years ago I had a dream and weeds crept in and covered it up. Deep down inside I never let it die. That dream was The Little Black Dress Society.  I realized that dream has been inside me since I was a little girl when I received my first LBD. Now I know why that dress was so special to me and why I've hung onto it for 50 years!

Who says dreams have to die? Dreams should never die! Every woman has a dream. What is yours? Is it covered up by all the weeds of life that so easily creep in without even noticing? In his book, Seizing Your Divine Moment, Erwin writes, "Too many divne opportunities are lost because we keep waiting for a word when the word has already been given." I love what he says later in the book, "Recognize that when you put on your kingdom skis, God sends you in a specific direction. And yes, you must get off the lift. God's instructions are to go, live life, take risks, move forward, advance."

Here's the lesson I've learned. If I wait until everything is "perfect" I would still be dreaming! The thing is...not everything is perfect, I don't have my website up yet, some days I feel like I'm on a treadmill going nowhere, I get discouraged when people don't meet my expectations, when things don't move fast enough for me, etc, etc.    But when I think back and remember how God is in this dream nothing can stop me, not naysayers, not unmet expectations, not roadblocks, not the lack of funds. God is an unstoppable force and my dream is His dream!

My dream is for The Little Black Dress Society to make a huge impact on women who have been touched by abuse. Statistics say that is one out of four women but those statistics don't include emotional abuse. So how could I let this dream die with such a burden in my heart for these women? These women have dreams too! Dreams buried by the voice that tells them they are NOTHING, the hand that holds them BACK or the silence that holds them CAPTIVE.

Through the combined efforts of women forming "societies", the innate beauty of a woman's heart can be changed. That includes you as well.  Join me in giving hope back to these women to LOVE, BELIEVE, and DREAM. Check out this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXLC1butGc

Never stop dancing!

Amanda Graybill, Founder of The Little Black Dress Society

The Little Black Dress Society is a registered Trademark of The U.S. Patent and Trademark Offfice. All right reserved.

Red Lipstick and LBD's!

2010-02-18T17:51:00.000-06:00

Red Lipstick…the little black dress of the makeup world!

Posted by Rachel Wood on January 12th, 2010

Any woman with the tiniest whisper of fashion will have a fool proof, wonder of LBD in her closet. The LBD dress is instant glamour; it gives the wearer a combo of sex appeal and self assured confidence. I feel women should have the same fool proof instant power product in their makeup kits… the perfect red lipstick.

Painting with a Purpose

2010-02-18T16:11:00.000-06:00

PAINTING WITH A PURPOSE

Who says a small group of women can't make an impact?
The idea: to paint a "little black dress" at one of the coolest places I've been, Painting with a Twist! None of us were artist but with a great instructor, little black dress wine, a canvas and some paint we set out to Paint with a Purpose!

Our plan? Laugh, drink some wine, have fun and donate our "masterpieces" to to be auctioned at an upcoming event to raise both awareness and funds for shelters for battered women and children.

Take a look and join us for the next "Painting with a Purpose"!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Little Black Dress Society is a "society" of women committed to impacting women's lives who have been touched by abuse. By raising both awareness and funds through philanthropy, we help women remove the blindfold that hides their shame and restore their hope to love, believe, and dream.

The Little Black Dress Society is a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Painting with a Purpose at Painting with a Twist!

2010-02-11T17:05:00.000-06:00

Here's a chance to bring out the "artist" in all of us! How fun! Take a look at this short video and find out about this new rage!!

We get to paint a "little black dress" for a great cause!

Shelters for Battered Women and Children

Make your reservation at http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/sanantonio

http://www.apeximagery.com/PWAT2/

Upcoming EVENT!!! Painting For A Purpose!

2010-02-06T19:00:00.000-06:00

This is going to be so much fun!

Mellisa, at Painting With A Twist sent me the painting! I've been admiring it all weekend. It's fabulous! So, if you don't think you can paint, we want you there. Not only is this for a great cause, Shelters for Battered Women & Children...but it will give you an opportunity to...

give something of yourself, your creation!

In March, we will have a wonderful evening event and auction off the paintings to raise money and awareness for shelters for battered women and children.

Did you know that one in four women are abused?!

Want you join me for this great cause!

Register online at paintingwithatwist.com/sanantonio
http://www.mypunchbowl.com/save_the_date/354bdd936d1b48078a5e

DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!

2010-02-06T13:59:00.002-06:00

I hope that you will take the time to listen to the words of this beautiful song. As the Founder of,
The Little Black Dress Society, I want you to know that you are never too young to DREAM and never too old to pursue those DREAMS!!

LOVE, BELIEVE, DREAM...AND NEVER STOP DANCING!

~AMANDA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKfDwChOoHI

NEVER STOP DANCING!!

2010-02-05T13:06:00.002-06:00

I sign every book with, "Never stop dancing!" Why? Because so often we give up on our life-long dreams because of past mistakes, hardships, painful memories or we've just put them on the back burner for so long that we think, It's too late. It's never too late to follow your dreams!

When I began writing my book, The Little Black Dress, it was because of pain. God used it to heal the broken heart in me. And through that journey I received a "fresh start". I began to dream again. It didn't matter that my dream of launching The Little Black Dress Society was just that, a dream. What mattered is that I had people in my life that wouldn't let me "die with the music still in me". God was my biggest FAN!!

Looking back on my journal I wrote, "Enlighten my heart God to your hope, your will, your favor, your direction for my life. Help me to put my dancing shoes on and marvel at your splendor and majesty. Let me dance to the wonder of your love. Let me hear the music even when life seems silent. Let me taste your love and savor it like a fine piece of chocolate. Dance with me through the sorrow of life and hold me close and never let me go. God, I'm waiting...You may have the first dance!"

My photo in my first LBD is a reminder that long ago, God instilled in me this passion, this dream. Through this journey, The Little Black Dress Society was born.

My prayer is that many women will see their dreams come to pass, build friendships that last a lifetime and give hope to those who may have stopped dreaming. As a "society" of women, we can help others,
Love, Believe, and Dream...

AND NEVER STOP

DANCING!

~Amanda, Founder of The Little Black Dress Society

The Little Black Dress Society is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Love, Believe, Dream is a Service Mark of The Little Black Dress Society and is protected under the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Painting for a Purpose

2010-02-02T23:31:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited about our next event! I don't know about you but I have no idea how to put paint on canvas and make it beautiful! But that's the beauty of Painting with a Twist! They teach you how to paint a masterpiece and it's fun!

So ladies and gentlemen, join us February 16th as we put "heart" to hand and paint "a little black dress" for charity. The paintings will be auctioned off at our March event where 100% of the proceeds will benefit shelters for battered women and children. And you, the Artist will be honored for your commitment to this project.

Register online at Painting with a Twist Space is limited to 50 people!

$30 donation/Appetizers & Drinks will be provided.

Love, Believe and Dream....and never stop Dancing!!

Blessings!

Amanda Graybill, Founder
The Little Black Dress Society

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS SOCIETY PAINTING FOR A PURPOSE

2010-01-28T17:53:00.004-06:00

HAVE YOU EVER ASPIRED TO BE AN ARTIST? Now you have the chance to become one!!
The Little Black Dress Society™ believes there is an “artist” in every woman!

Join us for an exciting and fruitful evening where you are the ‘ARTIST’. Through the movement of your hand and the love in your heart, the finished product will be “a little black dress” painting.

But there’s more… you will be giving something of yourself to impact another woman’s life by donating your finished masterpiece for a live auction in March benefiting shelters for battered women and children!

Together we will make an impact ~ one woman at a time with one painting at a time!!

Join us February 16th at 7pm-9pm at Painting with a Twist located in Artisans Alley, 555 West Bitters Road, San Antonio, TX 78216.

A $30.00 Donation to be paid with reservation through
Painting with a Twist Hurry, space is limited to 50 people.
Deadline for reservation is February 15th.

Appetizers, Little Black Dress Wine, and Door Prizes will add to the FUN!!! So get the word out everybody and invite your friends~ OK, Guys are welcome too!!

For questions or to donate a door prize contact Amanda at amanda@thelittleblackdresssociety.com

"If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him". ~John F. Kennedy

Bold, Beautiful, Resilient Women Luncheon & Fashion Show

2010-01-24T18:59:00.002-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

BEAUTIFUL, BOLD, RESILIENT WOMEN LUNCHEON & FASHION SHOW

2010-01-23T17:00:00.003-06:00

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS SOCIETY partnered with Hip Dingo and Scenic Loop Cafe for a charity event supporting The Kendall County Battered Women's Shelter scheduled to begin construction this year in Boerne, Texas.

Carol Bidus, who is the Nonprofit Fund Raising & Management Consultant for the project shared, "This shelter is vital to women and children who are in domestic violence situations in Kendall County."

The Shelter's Mission is "To provide safe, emergency shelter and transitional housing in a supportive environment where female victims of domestic violence and their children can begin the healing process and receive the support services they need to rebuild their lives."

Why is it so important to build this Shelter?

Kendall County does not currently have a shelter; therefore,victims who choose to leave abusive situations must be referred to shelters in Kerrville, Seguin, or Hondo.

How can you help?

•Make a monetary contribution from this link

•Provide pro-bono campaign or construction-related services

•Volunteer to help with the capital campaign committee

•Host an informational coffee or wine and cheese

•Plan a fundraiser to benefit the Women's Shelter

*Join The Little Black Dress Society and help support the cause!!

HEART-TO-HEART, HAND-TO-HAND, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN!!

Want to know the statistics?

•One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime

• Only 25% of domestic violence cases are reported

• Witnessing violence between one's parents is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.

• 30% - 60% of perpetrators of partner abuse also abuse children in the household

Contact Amanda Graybill, Founder at amanda@thelittleblackdresssociety.com for more information and ask how you can start a chapter in your city.

"We are a society of women committed to impacting women's
lives through philanthropy."

Women Abuse

2010-01-15T17:23:00.001-06:00

The Little Black Dress Society is a "society" of women committed to impacting women's lives through philanthropy.

Help us raise awareness for the need for shelters for battered women and children. ~Amanda, Founder

The Little Black Dress Society

2010-01-12T21:58:00.000-06:00

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-20T22:17:00.000-06:00

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IMPACTING LIVES

2009-12-10T11:45:00.000-06:00

If life isn't about giving back then what is our purpose? When I had the vision for The Little Black Dress Society it was because I wanted to leave a legacy, to do more than join a social club. But to make an impact in women's lives by joining hearts and hands with other women to make a difference.

That is what The Little Black Dress Society is all about.

Yes, we wear pretty LBD's when we come together (doesn't every little girl love dress up?),
we network with one another, we laugh and talk about life, but we also come to grips with the fact that we ALL have a "story".

Some of us are cancer survivors, some have survived domestic violence, some have overcome addictions, some have suffered losses physically, emotionally, financially.

But, we are overcomers!

And we want other women to know that their "story" can help others too! The women of The Little Black Dress Society helps to impact women's lives so they too can reach out heart-to-heart, hand-to-hand and impact women's lives across the world.

If you would like to be a part of this growing organization please contact me at amanda@thelittleblackdresssociety.com

Our website is in the works. Once it goes live you will be able to sign up online and start your chapter! In the meantime, keep looking for updates on my Blog!

The Little Black Dress Fundraiser Event at COCO!

2009-12-07T09:15:00.000-06:00

A Woman Named Star

2009-11-22T11:26:00.000-06:00

I've been networking like crazy since the launch of The Little Black Dress Society. Since I'm fairly new to the San Antonio area and have pretty much been contained in my "safe haven" out in the country, I haven't gotten involved with women in SA. What I'm finding out is that there are some great women there! Women with hearts bigger than themselves, women with no other agenda but to give back, women with passion to help other women. I'm blown away by their spirit and their love.

But, I'm also blown away by the fact that there are so many more women who are hurting. Women who have lost their jobs, women who don't know where the next paycheck is going to come from, women who have no place to live and move from shelter to shelter or friend to friend. Not because they choose this lifestyle, it's simply the hand dealt them at this time in their life.

This past week I attended a networking luncheon and was priviledged to meet some inspiring women. One such woman was sitting next to me and after the luncheon we began to talk. "Star" (her name is changed to protect her privacy) began opening up to me and sharing her story of working for a large corporation on an executive level, traveling, staying in 5-Star hotels, making great money. Until one day last year all that changed and she was laid off. Now she spends her days trying to find work, staying with different friends, or living out of her car. This is a woman with dignity and character, a woman who once had it all in the eyes of "society" and now has no place to live, homeless. And yet her spirit is filled with such peace and even in the midst of her turmoil, her desire is to reach out and help other women! An amazing woman with an amazing story!

I came home to my "safe haven" that night and shared Star's story with my husband and with tears in my eyes said, "This is what The Little Black Dress Society is all about, helping women like Star".

Please join me, Heart-to-Heart, Hand-to-Hand and help the "Stars" out there! If you would like to start an LBDS Chapter contact me at amanda@thelittleblackdresssociety.com

I would love to help you and your friends get started! Together, we can impact women's lives!

The LIttle Black Dress

2009-11-19T09:16:00.000-06:00

The LBD is classic but the WOMAN in it, is PRICELESS! What I've discovered though working with women is that not every woman believes she is priceless.

The Little Black Dress Society is about impacting women's lives! It's about helping women see that they are beautiful inside and out ~ reaching beyond social economic bounderies, reaching past religious stigmas, going deep into the heart and helping women who have stopped "dreaming", dream again.

The Little Black Dress Society!!

Heart-Heart, Hand-to-Hand,

Women Helping Women!

It's not about the dress, it's about the woman in it!

2009-11-17T11:14:00.000-06:00

I read an ad recently that said, "Perfection is a state-of-mind, not a dress size!" I thought about this because The Little Black Dress Society is not about the dress, it's about the woman in the dress. It's about women coming together, Heart-to-Heart and Hand-to-Hand to help other women.

It's about building friendships that go beyond pettyness and competition, it's about lending a helping hand to women in need, supporting one another, networking together, giving back to society and gaining more than we give.

My motto is that LBD's come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, just like women. Joined together, with all of our talents, gifts, and experiences...we CAN make an IMPACT in women's lives!
Thanks, Monica for joining LBDS, San Antonio!

LBD Society at Scenic Loop

2009-11-14T10:42:00.000-06:00

My desire in life is to make an impact in women's lives by my own experiences and give other women the opportunity to do the same. I believe that every woman has a "story" inside of them but not every woman lets that story out!

The Little Black Dress Society is a way for women to come together, heart-to-heart and build relationships (since we live such busy lives) - for women to join together - hand-to-hand and make a difference in our society. Perhaps bringing a bag of diapers to a
Girls' Night Out may not seem like that big of a deal but when we take a car load of baby items to a shelter for battered women and children THAT'S impacting women's lives!

WE are WOMEN HELPING WOMEN!

The Little Black Dress Society

Heart-to-heart, hand-to-hand, women helping women

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The Little Black Dress Society is a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The Little Black Dress Society

2009-11-10T14:48:00.000-06:00

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Find out how you can become a member by contacting Amanda at amanda@thelittleblackdresssociety.com

Note:Website is in the process of being restructured.

Why The Little Black Dress Society

2009-10-31T10:20:00.006-05:00

So here's the thing...why in the world did I start The Little Black Dress Society? Many of you want to know what it is, what it is about, who can join, what we do, etc., etc.

The vision for The Little Black Dress Society began seven years ago while sitting at my desk in Huntington Beach, California. I remembered being given my first LBD when I was just four years old and how special it was to me. So special that I still have it after all these years (it's 50 years old!!). Wow! That LBD and my story was an inspiration in writing my book, The Little Black Dress which I wrote in 2005 and it was released in September 2007 by Tate Publishing Company.

In 2006 I developed my logo for The Little Black Dress Society, Inc. and secured its domain name. Continuing my research on women's organizations I kept believing that The Little Black Dress Society could be an organization that could impact women's lives because every woman has a "story".

So the mission statement developed is "a society of women committed to impacting women's lives through philanthropy". I believe as we meet together we all bring something to the table, i.e., our experience, our knowlege, our dreams, our talents and gifts,...our stories. And through that we can be women helping other women. Heart-to-heart, hand-to-hand, women helping women.

My website is in the process of being revamped. But we are building the "society" through membership and it is open to any woman ages 21 and up. For more information please contact me at amanda@thelittleblackdresssociety.com

Together we can make a difference! Blessings!

Amanda

LBD Society Pre-Launch Event

2009-10-30T13:51:00.000-05:00

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Launching The Little Black Dress Society!

2009-09-22T14:38:00.000-05:00

After envisioning this for seven years I am finally stepping out in faith and launching THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS SOCIETY! I have had my logo design and front page of website for 3 1/2 years! Embarrassing I know. When you have a dream that continues to hound you like a dog you just gotta go with your gut and do it even if you don't have EVERYTHING you want in place. But it is trademarked (Yeah!) and Incorporated so here we go girls. Get your LBD'S out of the closet 'cause we are going to be movin' and a shakin' as we say here in the South! Make sure you stay in touch for updates, i.e., the launch of my website, networking opportunities, meet ups, events, and TRAVEL! Can you see us all in our LBD's on a cruise?! Get ready 'cause here we come!!

Love, Believe, Dream...and never stop dancing!

Amanda