You might be asking yourself: What do bras and lighting have in common? Turns out, more than you think!
As of today, Mitzi is leading the rallying cry for people everywhere who have been subjected to living with outdated and ugly “boob lights.” That’s right. This one is for all those individuals who have ever looked up at their ceiling and thought, “Huh. That kinda looks like a….” We know. It's a sight that can’t be unseen. But we’re here to help!
That’s why Mitzi is offering to replace your boob lights for free. You heard that right! In this new campaign, Mitzi is calling on consumers to submit photos of their unfortunate mammary-like mounts for a chance to receive all new Mitzi fixtures. But while we believe that boobs don’t belong on ceilings, they still have their rightful place. For many, that place is nestled right into a trusty old bra. That’s where I Support the Girls comes in.
We might be banishing boob lights from homes, but we’re taking it a step further by teaming up with I Support the Girls to provide over 25,000 bras to women in need, ultimately giving boobs a place to belong once again. To kick off the partnership, we sat down with the CEO of I Support the Girls, Dana Marlowe, to discuss the organization’s mission, impact, and their own hilarious take on boob lights.
Dana, the work that I Support the Girls is doing is so important. Yet it seems to fly under the radar as something that’s a real and urgent need for women. Why was starting I Support the Girls such an important initiative for you?
Once you're made aware that this is a need for people, one can be surprised how much of an impact they can make. Women are the fastest-growing homeless population and most shelters do not have the budget to provide personal items. It’s important for women to have access to these essential items like bras and underwear.
While it’s a key service you provide, I Support the Girls does so much more than provide bras for women in need. Tell us more about the organization’s mission.
It comes down to dignity and sometimes the small things are really the big things. Sometimes that means not having access to a pad or tampon or bra, And for those people, it can be a huge issue. Bras, for example, can even have a huge impact on how a person presents themselves or feels about themselves. If you can feel a little better about yourself, you can focus on other really tangible things and issues in your life.
What was the biggest challenge that you faced during the early years of the organization?
Early on, there was still a stigma about periods and bras and boobs. We wanted to break that stigma and that meant putting myself out there. The more you talk about something, the more commonplace those topics become. For me, that all started on social media one day and other women backed me up. Unfortunately, we’re still using euphemisms to discuss some of these topics like when we started. Women’s bodies are still taboo and we want to change that.
How have these challenges evolved over the years and how do you overcome them?
We overcome this by not shying away from these topics. Whether we’re talking to high school students or corporate men in middle America, we’re not afraid to face it head-on.
You work with some pretty incredible women and see inspiring stories every day through the women you help. Why do you think women, in particular, can be such a powerful driving force for change?
A lot of women have to work extra hard just to get a seat at the table. When you work extra hard just to get your voice heard, you’ve gotten thereby making sure your thoughts are concrete. You stand by what you say. We know to not stop at the first no that we get.
What are you most proud of?
It’s pretty spectacular that even my 9-year-old can educate people on their periods. My middle schooler can tell his health class the difference between pads and tampons. When you talk about change, it so often can start there with our kids. And I’m proud that in the last five years we’ve fought for the dignity of women. It’s just a small slice of the pie of what we can all collectively do.
Switching gears: You’re obviously a huge supporter of boobs (Same). But where do you stand on “boob lights?” Are you more aware of them than ever before because of this campaign?
Definitely! I have a confession, when we started talking with Mitzi about this campaign, I realized I had a boob light right behind me. I think like a lot of things, people can just forget about it, but now it's staring at me. I agree that boobs are meant for bras, not ceilings.
What was your reaction when we approached you to discuss a campaign that set out to banish boob lights? Be honest. We can take it.
I loved it! After playing with so many different ways to talk about boobs and bras, I love when organizations and companies reach out with truly creative ideas on how we can help communicate to more people. I was elated because it was unique and innovative and my whole team was super excited.
You don’t have to be an interior designer to explore the fun of lighting design. How do you express your personal style through your home or workspace? How important is form vs. function to you?
I love unique design and form in any space. That said, I am also a full-time working parent with two jobs, so I need function over form. I need a space that works for me and my busy life. Now that I’m aware of boob lights, it's another thing on my list of things to do around the house. That’s why I love that Mitzi is doing all the work for you to install all new lighting.
What role does lighting play in your personal or professional life? For example, do you use lighting to help you focus? Unwind? Get energized for the day ahead?
Lighting in the workplace is critical. Lighting can really impact one's mood whether they're in their workspace or home. In the ISTG headquarters, it’s bright because we want to keep volunteers motivated, awake and alert.
Finally, in addition to running this incredible organization, you mentioned you’re a mom as well. What’s one thing that you hope to instill in your children?
That when you see something in the world that you want to change for the better, do it. Don’t second guess yourself. You don’t have to be the person with the most resources or money to make a difference. I hope they recognize that they are capable of giving back and shouldn't underestimate the ability of small acts.