Did you know that it was just one woman in Pennsylvania with an idea, and now 27 years later thousands are still participating in WRAP week.
The White Ribbon Against Pornography (WRAP) Campaign began with one woman in Butler, PA in 1987. Norma Norris heard a sermon against pornography delivered by the pastor of her Catholic parish. Msgr. Francis Glenn lamented that local prosecutors and law enforcement had been deluded into thinking that people didn’t care about the hardcore porn being sold in her community. Norma looked at the full pews in the church and said, “That can’t be; we’re here and we care!” Norma then gave herself the challenge to inspire her community and to send out the message: WE CARE! WE COUNT! Norma thought the plan had to be simple, inexpensive, and something to catch the imagination. Soon after, the idea of a simple white ribbon as a symbol of decency came to her, and a movement was born.
Norma then worked with Msgr. Glenn, the Butler County Citizens for Decency, and the Butler Fellowship of Churches to organize the first White Ribbon campaign. Ribbons were distributed; huge white ribbon bows were sent to the Governor and the Attorney General of Pennsylvania; petitions were signed; and a motorcade was organized.
The highlight of the campaign was the bulldozing of a closed porn bookstore. The Butler County Citizens for Decency bought the property especially for the purpose. A judge signed an eviction notice against the store, and on a sunny day in fall, in front of a large crowd of citizens and cameras from local TV stations, the bulldozer smashed the porn shop to smithereens.
That year, Morality in Media became the national sponsor of the WRAP Campaign. WRAP has since taken on a life of its own with many local groups adding their own events, projects and ways to get the word out. Many other national groups organize campaigns during this week as well. We invite all to participate!
What can you do during WRAP Week:
Make this image your profile image on social media accounts!- Wear a white ribbon and explain the meaning when someone asks! Make your own with a spool of white ribbon and straight pins, or order them here
- Get educated on the issues! Attend one or more of our free online webinars or find a group to learn more about.
- Get 5 of your friends to take 10 actions on com.
- Have a family meeting or lesson on the dangers of pornography and safe media choices.
- Install filters on your devices! See a list of recommended filters here.
- Post something about the harms of pornography on your social media accounts.
- Distribute or post handouts that educate on the specific harms of pornography.
- Talk to leaders at your church, local schools, libraries, etc. about these issues.
- Ask your mayor to sign an official WRAP Week declaration. (Surprisingly, they almost always sign it!)
WE ARE HOSTING FREE ONLINE EVENTSÂ THIS WEEK
See a list of them here, attend and tell your friends!
WRAP WEEK SPECIALS!
Get 10% off of all items in our online shop during WRAP Week. Use the discount code WRAP.
Get one month free when you sign up for Covenant Eyes Internet filters.
Click here to redeem this offer!
Get $5 off Good Pictures Bad Pictures, the great new tool for parents. Order at the Good Pictures Bad Pictures e-store and use these to access this wonderful resource with this password (PPKGPBPGCP) and discount code (AWG2LWMF)
Get a FREE BOOK of your choice about this issue! Post a picture of you wearing a white ribbon on Utah Coalition Against Pornography’s Facebook page and each day they will pick a winner.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION!Â
The Maryland Coalition Against Pornography got MD Governor Martin O’Malley to make an official proclamation that WRAP week is recognized in the state of Maryland!
Other groups and individuals have done this, too! Great work MD leaders!
If you would like to make a donation, you can here.