As a 28-year-old graduate student in New Hampshire, Sexual Assault Awareness Month feels deeply personal to me. It is a time to pause, reflect, and stand with survivors in a way that is visible, intentional, and compassionate.
I wear red lipstick because it is a simple but powerful symbol of support. Red represents strength, visibility, and courage. It reminds me that survivors deserve to be seen, believed, and supported — not just in April, but every day. For the Leila Grace Foundation, this symbol carries an even deeper meaning because their work focuses on education, prevention, and giving survivors a voice.
So many survivors carry pain in silence. Some are still learning how to name what happened to them. Others have spoken out and still carry the weight of being misunderstood. Wearing red lipstick is one small way I can say, “You are not alone.” It is my way of showing solidarity, honoring resilience, and helping keep the conversation going.
To me, awareness is not just about statistics or campaigns. It is about people. It is about healing, dignity, and creating communities where consent is respected and survivors are supported with compassion. The Leila Grace Foundation is doing important work to educate and empower others, and I am proud to stand behind that mission.
This April, I will wear red lipstick for every survivor who has ever felt unseen. I wear it for healing, for hope, and for the reminder that speaking up matters.