Awareness Ribbons have become the quick and easy way to show support for a cause. Many people will wear a pin or some form of jewelry with the ribbon of choice.

In a society that is attached to social media and quick bursts of information it is important to catch someone’s attention quickly. These little ribbons of color are certainly a way to do just that. The ribbon, whether a digital image or an actual piece of fabric, shows everyone our support for a cause.

Ribbon History

Our use of ribbons began in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Penney Laingen tied a yellow ribbon around a tree while waiting for the safe return of her husband. He was being held hostage in Iran. In the early 1990’s during the Gulf War the yellow ribbon saw a resurgence and is now often associated with military causes. Also, in the 90’s the red ribbon gained overnight popularity when many actors and actresses wore one to the Tony awards in support of AIDS sufferers.

Most Popular Ribbon

The pink ribbon is currently the most recognized ribbon. Known by everyone the pink ribbon represents breast cancer awareness. Did you know though? Pink is also used by birth parents and nursing mothers’ groups to signify awareness for their cause. According to Barbara Davis a Yahoo contributor, “When Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation wanted to increase awareness of their organization, they chose pink ribbons partly because it is a very feminine shade, and partly because pink is a color often associated with good health (pudgy pink babies, for example).” I would imagine that the delicate softness pink suggests is also the reason that other groups have chosen it to represent their cause.

Domestic Violence Ribbon

Over the last 10+ years I have worn a purple ribbon. This ribbon is in support of domestic violence awareness. Many times, people assume that my ribbon is for cancer awareness.

Originally, I was annoyed at the assumption. The more I thought about it I am grateful that people questioned me. It offers me the chance to speak about domestic violence awareness. I encourage them to get involved with a cause that affects 1 in 4 women. Knowing that domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes based on statistics from the US Department of Justice, I hope that my speaking about it encourages others to stand up for themselves or those close to them. I hope that by bringing awareness to domestic violence I can help stop the cycle. Did you know, children who witness violence are twice as likely to perpetuate it as adults.

Doing some research, I learned that the color purple has a much deeper meaning within the domestic violence community. According to oral records, purple was the favorite color of Lisa Bianco, a woman who escaped an abusive relationship and became the director of a battered women’s program. She was later killed by her batterer when he was released on a temporary furlough. To honor her memory family and friends wore purple.

Meanings of Purple Ribbon

Due to the often-made assumption about my ribbon I took some time to do a search regarding the purple ribbon. Surprisingly, I was bombarded with the amount of causes that purple represents. Along with thyroid cancer and pancreatic cancer, the purple ribbon also represents Alzheimer’s, lupus, ADD and victims of 9/11 just to name a few. When I started wearing my purple ribbon, I didn’t realize it had such a broad representation of so many meaningful causes. Many of these causes are also important to me.

I have many causes that are important to me and I have learned that there is a ribbon color to represent just about every one of them. I will continue to proudly wear my purple ribbon, especially because it does represent so many causes, I care about. The next time you see someone wearing a ribbon, take the time to inquire what it represents, they will appreciate the opportunity to give their cause a voice.

Please share in the comments what color/cause you represent.