As teenagers and young adults, we often dream of doing something great with our lives; of making a difference and changing the world. When we actually decide to chase after the dreams that are truly God-given, beautiful and incredible things are bound to happen. In a new non-fiction release from BakerBooks, young Bethany Winz (with Susanna Foth Aughtmon) shares her story of what happened when she decided to chase after a dream, and how it changed her life – but not always in the ways she expected. “One Dress. One Year: One Girl’s Stand against Human Trafficking” is the impactful memoir of Bethany’s experiences as a sixteen-year-old girl who decided to make a stand for the men, women, and children trapped in slavery around the world. Her plan? To wear the same black dress, every day, for one entire year, and to raise $100,000 in the process.

I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect when I began this book. Would it be boring, preachy, or juvenile? To my surprise and delight, none of these adjectives can accurately describe “One Dress. One Year”. It is a unique journey that Bethany invites us to join her on, certainly one of insight and inspiration. But most of all, it is real. Very real. Her struggles, not just of wearing the dress but of ordinary life itself, are raw and authentic. During a year that begins with a project to raise funds for various organizations fighting to end slavery around the world, Bethany soon realizes that it will teach her a lot about who she is, and how everyone in the world needs freedom of one kind or another.

The issues of human trafficking and various kinds of slavery are presented in a compelling and passionate way. Clearly, Bethany believes in fighting for her cause, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Amazingly enough, she doesn’t try to coerce us into copying, supporting, or funding her goals. She doesn’t strive to convince us to wear a dress for a year to raise awareness, or to tell everyone we know to donate to her cause. Instead, she rightfully suggests that each one of us has a unique dream that will change the world in a unique way, if used how God intended. The question is, will we? Will we fight for what we are passionate about, and for the injustices we see around us? After reading Bethany’s story, I feel that many people, young and old, will be inspired to do just that.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”