Blog posts

August is National Grief Awareness Month—a time to recognize that grief is a universal experience, but one we rarely talk about in real ways.

Grief isn’t just about death. It’s about loss—of people, relationships, health, identity, or a sense of safety.

What Grief Really Looks Like

Forget the “five stages.” Grief is messy, non-linear, and deeply personal.

It can look like:

• Anger or numbness
  

• Guilt for feeling OK—or for not feeling OK
  

• Exhaustion, brain fog, or forgetfulness
  

• Sudden tears in the grocery store
  

There’s no timeline. No “right” way to mourn. And no shame in still hurting years later.

The Black Ribbon

The black ribbon is used to honor grief, loss, and remembrance. It’s a quiet symbol of respect—for the person gone, and for the person grieving.

Wearing a black ribbon pin says: I’m holding space for loss. Mine, or someone else’s.

Who Needs Grief Awareness?

• Anyone who’s lost a loved one
  

• Parents grieving miscarriages or infertility
  

• People mourning estranged family or friendships
  

• Those who’ve survived trauma, illness, or life-altering change
  

In short: all of us, at some point.

How You Can Help

• Say their name. Don’t pretend the loss didn’t happen.
  

• Check in weeks or months after the funeral
  

• Offer presence, not platitudes (no “at leasts”)
  

• Wear a black ribbon pin to signal empathy and solidarity
  

Organizations That Get It

We’re not affiliated, but we respect these grief support orgs:

• The Dougy Center – Grief support for children and families (dougy.org)
  

• Modern Loss – Resources and storytelling around grief in all its forms
  

• GriefShare – Local support groups and education
  

Why It Matters

Our Grief Awareness Pins are subtle yet powerful. They honor the invisible weight so many carry—and help make the hard conversations just a little easier.

[Shop the Grief Awareness Collection] (insert link)

This August, let’s do more than mourn. Let’s normalize grief. Let’s show up for each other in the dark.

And let’s wear black not just in sorrow—but in solidarity.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)—a time to speak truth, center survivors, and demand accountability.

Sexual assault doesn’t just leave physical scars. It impacts mental health, relationships, and trust. And it happens more often than most people realize.

The Reality of Sexual Assault

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime
  
• LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people of color face higher rates and fewer resources
  
• Most survivors know their assailant
  
• Reporting rates are low due to fear, shame, or lack of support
  

It’s not just a “bad date” or “miscommunication.” It’s violence. And it deserves to be taken seriously.

What Support Looks Like

Supporting survivors isn’t complicated:

• Listen without judgment
  

• Believe them
  

• Don’t pressure them to report—respect their timeline
  

• Offer resources, not unsolicited advice
  

Let survivors define their own healing. It’s not about what you would do—it’s about what they need.

The Teal Ribbon

The teal ribbon represents sexual assault awareness. It stands for solidarity, strength, and a refusal to look away.

When you wear a teal ribbon pin, you’re helping survivors feel seen—and saying that this issue matters, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Organizations That Uplift Survivors

We’re not affiliated, but we believe in the work of these orgs:

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – 24/7 support and education (rainn.org)
  

• NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center) – Research and community prevention tools
  

• End Rape on Campus – Student-focused advocacy and support
  

How You Can Help

• Share educational posts during April
  

• Host or attend awareness events
  

• Donate to survivor support orgs
  

• Wear a teal ribbon pin and start conversations that matter
  

Why It Matters

Our Sexual Assault Awareness Pins aren’t performative—they’re purposeful. A symbol of respect, empathy, and advocacy.

[Shop the Sexual Assault Awareness Collection] (insert link)

This April—and every month—let’s support survivors not just with words, but with action.

Let’s listen. Let’s learn. Let’s stand up. And let’s never be silent when it matters most.

September is more than the start of pumpkin spice season—it's Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, and it deserves a spotlight. While it's one of the fastest-growing cancers, especially in women, thyroid cancer often flies under the radar. That’s why awareness matters.

The Bisexual Pride Flag isn’t just pink, purple, and blue—it’s a symbol of visibility for a community too often erased. Learn how the flag was created, what it stands for, and how you can wear your pride with intention.

Every April, the burgundy and ivory ribbon becomes a powerful symbol of hope and strength for those impacted by Oral, Head and Neck cancers. In this post, we explore why awareness matters, how to spot early signs, and how a simple enamel ribbon pin can support survivors and spread life-saving knowledge.

Denee Mallon was more than a trailblazer—she was a decorated veteran, a fierce advocate for transgender healthcare rights, and a woman who never backed down. Her fight to have gender-affirming surgery covered by Medicare changed lives across the U.S. This is her story.

May is BPD Awareness Month—but let’s not pretend it’s getting the attention it deserves. Borderline Personality Disorder isn’t just another acronym to gloss over. It’s a complex, painful, and deeply stigmatized condition that too many people suffer through in silence.

Wearing the black and white ribbon isn’t just about awareness. It’s about acknowledging the emotional extremes, the daily battles, and the strength it takes just to exist.

If you're tired of misinformation and ready for empathy, now’s the time to speak up.

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month—but let’s be honest, this disease deserves more than a single month of attention. It’s a relentless thief, stealing identities, memories, and independence. While the world keeps spinning, families impacted by Alzheimer’s are fighting battles no one sees. A purple ribbon might seem small—but it speaks volumes. It says: "I see you. I remember you. And I care."

Wear it not because it fixes things—but because silence never will.

You’ve seen it everywhere—draped over shoulders, in storefront windows, printed on coffee mugs. But the rainbow flag wasn’t born as a brand. It began as a bold act of resistance. From its eight-stripe origins to its modern six-stripe form, learn the real story behind the flag that symbolizes a movement—and why it’s so much more than just colorful merch.

When a child gets cancer, everyone’s tripping over themselves to help—which, okay, fair. But while the casseroles pile up and GoFundMes flood in, there’s a kid sitting in the corner being completely ignored: the sibling.

Siblings of children with cancer deal with a whole emotional buffet no one wants to acknowledge: guilt, anxiety, loneliness, resentment. And let’s be real—half the time, no one even asks how they’re doing. Shocking, I know.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the devastating reality of pediatric cancer. With over 15,000 kids diagnosed annually in the U.S. and only 4% of federal cancer research funds allocated to them, this month is less about gold ribbons and more about the glaring neglect children face in cancer research and support.

Pride Month is more than rainbows—it's rooted in resistance. Pride is a Protest. This post explores the history of the Stonewall Uprising, the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and how a single night in 1969 sparked a global movement for LGBTQIA+ rights.