The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts is holding its 20th Annual “Red Dress Fashion
Show” to raise awareness of heart disease in women. All proceeds from the event benefit the
YWCA HEARTplus Program. This event will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 5:30
p.m. at the Century House in Acushnet. 
The YWCA HEARTplus Program focuses on outreach, education, raising awareness and
increasing understanding of the risks of cardiovascular disease, particularly among women of
color, older women and low-income women. This program also assists women with obtaining
health screenings necessary for them to identify their own personal risk. The goals of the
YWCA HEARTplus Program are:

 To give women a clear understanding of what preventative measures they can
take and how to integrate these measures into their lifestyle.
 To raise women’s awareness of the risks of heart disease.
 To lower the risk of heart disease and to encourage women to take an active
role in their heart health.

The Fashion Show will focus on heart health, nutrition and diabetes, as well as provide
women with a fun evening. The silent auction will feature items such as gift baskets and gift
certificates to a variety of places.
The YWCA is an active participant in the National Heart Truth Red Dress Project. The Red
Dress Project includes a collection of dresses from America’s most prestigious designers. The
dresses symbolize the fact that heart disease is a women’s health issue, as well as a man’s.
The YWCA Red Dress Fashion Show includes a collection of red dresses from a variety of local
stores and designers. Models for this event are recruited from the community and are reflective
of the population served by the YWCA.