Kerry Washington Designs A Limited-Edition Bag To Help Women In Need

As Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse ambassador, Kerry Washington is bringing the social justice efforts she practices on Scandal to the real world. She’s designed a handbag with Tommy Hilfiger’s wife, Dee Ocleppo, to raise awareness of domestic violence and financial abuse. The proceeds of the limited-edition accessory, which is available for purchase now at Saks Fifth Avenue, will benefit more than 160 organizations all over the country that help woman become financially independent.

According to a press release, “the purse represents the center of a woman’s financial domain and purple is the national color for domestic violence awareness.” Washington notes that the tactics abusers use to keep women trapped—like controlling their bank accounts and credit cards—is a big part of why women don’t leave, and she hopes her efforts will champion change.

“I grew up in a household where we talked about politics and talked about human rights and civil rights and so those things are always on my mind,” she admits. “But I’m also a girl who loves fashion and looking great and feeling great. I’m always excited about opportunities where I can bring both parts of myself to the table.”

“Domestic violence is hard to talk about, financial abuse is hard to talk about, but it’s really easy to talk about a really cute bag.”

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