Bill Text: VA HJR511 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-09 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ511ER) [HJR511 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HJR511-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters, a community-based nonprofit organization in Fairfax County, provides menstrual supplies, underwear, and bras to less-fortunate women and girls and advocates for menstrual equity; and
WHEREAS, Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters (BRAWS) was founded by Holly Seibold in 2015 after she learned how difficult it can be for less-fortunate women and girls in the community to afford menstrual supplies; and
WHEREAS, a fierce advocate for women's rights with a diverse background in education and nonprofit work, Holly Seibold is also the owner of M2 Academy, which offers educational consulting, after-school programs, and summer camps; she established BRAWS in her home with a group of friends and has helped the organization thrive through her exceptional leadership; and
WHEREAS, BRAWS has donated thousands of packages of bras, underwear, and menstrual supplies to more than 30 local shelters from distribution centers in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Washington, D.C., and Maryland; and
WHEREAS, in addition to working with homeless shelters, BRAWS has advocated for the sufficient availability of menstrual supplies in Virginia's prisons and supports women who are in transitional housing after being released from prison; and
WHEREAS, BRAWS works to ensure that menstrual supplies are available and accessible in schools, allowing girls to focus on their studies without fear of embarrassing or potentially traumatic situations; and
WHEREAS, BRAWS collaborates with legislators, educators, and other leaders throughout the Commonwealth and the United States to raise awareness of the menstrual equity movement and promote tax exemptions for menstrual supplies; the organization has advocated for menstrual equity at the state and federal levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters for its work to support women and girls in Fairfax County and throughout the region; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Holly Seibold, founder and executive director of Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's compassionate mission and many accomplishments.
