Franklin encourages women helping women during February event

FRANKLIN — Since Franklin Village retail shops are 100% women-owned, the downtown community has a strong culture of women supporting women. This winter, they are once again giving back to the community through supporting the organization, I Support the Girls.

I Support the Girls is a national organization that helps people experiencing homelessness by distributing essential items such as bras, underwear and menstrual hygiene projects.

Karen Couf Cohen, a ​​Franklin resident and a PR and communications specialist for Main Street Franklin, said she met the founder of I Support the Girls several years ago at a convention and was inspired by her passion.

She said what is special about I Support the Girls is that it addresses basic fundamental needs that women have that people might not think about. For instance, Couf Cohen said she noticed that while she often donates clothes to charities, she would never think to donate bras. I Support the Girls calls attention to the needs of women and helps women support one another.

Main Street Franklin’s event, “Shop Your Heart Out,” encourages the community to bring new or gently worn clean bras and feminine hygiene products to any participating retailer in Franklin throughout February.

The first year for this event was 2021, and after not doing it last year, they decided to bring it back for 2023.

During the first year of this event, it was in the middle of the pandemic and construction in Franklin, so Main Street Franklin felt like they needed to help support their women-owned small businesses.

“Small businesses were trying to survive during an almost unsurvivable period of our time, and so this year seemed like the (time to bring it) back and really (get) excited about it,” Couf Cohen said.

Déjà vu Upscale Designer Resale, Event Bliss & Gifts, The Franklin Grill, Madeleines Patisserie, Paw Boutique Pet Shop, So Zen Designs, Tangerine Wine, Village Boutique, and Zieben Mare will all be participating in this event for I Support the Girls.

Lisa Dunn, the owner of Déjà vu Upscale Designer Resale and MSF board chair, said that “women helping women has always been something me and my staff love to be a part of, so it really hits home with all of us. This is something we need to embrace. And we’re very excited to do it again this year.”

In order to thank the community, retailers are holding the “Love You Back” event Feb. 10-14 — excluding Sunday — where they are offering refreshments and a special gift upon donation.

Retailers are encouraging the community to bring in their donations during this window of time so they have the opportunity to thank them; however, donations will be accepted on the days leading up to the event if necessary.