Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Important Stuff. Also, Dresses.

by

MrB is the chairman of the most amazing organization called the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). You have to click that link and do some reading, because I can’t begin to describe what people in other countries go through to tell the truth. It really offends me when U.S. citizens whine about how they’re suffering so much in the U.S. and the U.S. is depriving them of their rights and how “the media never tells” them anything and blah blah blah. The U.S. is responsible for some really bad shizz when it comes to the press, but we are blessed compared to someone like Andrew Mwenda from Uganda, who has been arrested 11 times since March for running a news magazine. Eleven times! That might be more arrests than crackhead musician Pete Doherty in the same time frame, which is basically saying you’ve been arrested more times than anyone on earth.

CPJ had its annual fund-raising dinner last night. There are links to information on all the honorees here. One who really impressed me is second-time honoree Beatrice Mtetwa, an attorney in Zimbabwe who has been beaten up twice for defending journalists imprisoned for reporting on the outrages committed by the government of Zimbabwe’s dictator Robert Mugabe. (Note that if I were blogging from Zimbabwe, I wouldn’t be able to write something like “Zimbabwe’s dictator Robert Mugabe” without tempting the Grim Reaper.)

Me, the amazing Beatrice, and MrB

Even at the most earnest event, one must give some thought to dresses. As you can see, Beatrice opted for some cleavage. Woot! I wore a vintage dress that I got in 2004. Gorgeous blogger ENC approved it when I sent her advance photos, and I was so happy I took her advice because Bill Cunningham from the New York Times loved it big time! Even if I don’t get in the paper or if I get in the paper but look 10-months pregnant or my slip is showing, I still had a great fashion moment. Thanks, ENC! Here I am with gorgeous client and dinner guest Melissa, who was having a very Audrey Hepburn moment with her short hair and little black dress.

Melissa said the dinner was eye-opening.

The work of the CPJ honorees was awe-inspiring, as always, but Melissa and I had a little awe left over for the CPJ employee who made her own dress.

Amazing DIY!

Don’t forget to read up about CPJ. To donate, click here.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. What an amazing organization and event. It’s amazing how much we take that first amendment right for granted by comparison.

    You look lovely.

  3. Hi there-What an honourable organization the CPJ is. Very well done to all involved with it. Beatrice looks stunning, what an amazing and courageous lady she is. Adore your dress too, looking gorgeous as usual!

  5. It is so important with organizations and events like these! There are so many things that we take for granted, and many people just keep their eyes closed. The work of these journalists and these kind of organizations are so necessary and vital. Thanks for posting this!

    And you look absolutely gorgeous in your dress. Beautiful!

  7. AMAZING AMAZING organization.May God bless Mr B for being a part of something so great. I went unto their site and was truly touched at the work they are doing and what some reporters are going through.
    Wendy on a brigher note you looked like a goddess in that gown!!!!!!!
    Wowweeee you looked stunning.You looked draped in molten gold.Stunning.
    Muah!
    Marian

  9. Wonderful dress, Wendy, you look gorgeous. Can I just say that I do appreciate the way you shop your own closet and don't feel compelled to go out & buy something brand new for every event you attend. Responsible fashion — I'm all about it.

    Also, great kudos to the CPJ. I have a journalist friend who has reported from some scary, scary places and am glad to know there's an organization like this in the world.

  13. I see why this charity is important to you. Ever since college, when I started paying attention to more than just music, I’ve always felt that news is imperative for awareness, and the conditions under which it’s reported can be very dangerous. I’m so glad that Mr.B is involved in making things better. He’s a pretty cool guy, that Mr.B.

    I’m grateful to have helped in making the fashion decision for your night out. It was fun to be a part of your night, albeit from my remote location. You looked superb, and were a shining light. Gorgeous Melissa is always . . . gorgeous! I also loved the DIY dress, how impressive that she sewed her frock. I only wish for that level of skill.

  16. Ah if you think Americans complain you should come go to Canada and Britain esepcially Britain. Seems every second word is a whine or a winge! That’s what happens when you have it too good!

  18. I am stunned by your dress – it’s simply beautiful!

    I’m glad that there are such important events where you can wear such beautiful dresses. I’m glad about the important events too, obviously.

  23. Gorgeous dress, and what a worthwhile organization! It’s true, we forget there in the US what some people in other parts of the world go through just to try to tell the truth.

  26. thanks so much Miss Wendy B for proving, every day, that girls who like dresses can also be smart, and politically aware, and sarcastic, and damn hot too! i am so hopeful for my 2 daughters growing up in a world where there’s women like you! and where organisations like CPJ exist. check out http://www.academic-refugees.org/, an organisation set up in 1933 to rescue academics from nazi germany – unfortunately they’ve been busy in the last few years too, protecting academic freedom worldwide.

  29. How stellar do you look in that dress?
    OK, that was a rhetorical question, just in case you felt pressured to answer…

  30. Not to make light of your sentiment (which is very admirable and very true), but you could spread freedom and democracy with that dress. Seriously.

  33. You look absolutely stunning – like a golden goddess!

    The CPJ sounds like a wonderful organization – the right to present the truth needs to be protected all over the world.

  35. Wow. Both at the idea of CPJ, and at the dresses (if I hadn’t scanned down to the second pic, I would have actually thought you were wearing a sari, the fabric looks like the dead spit of one of my grandmother’s vintage silk ones).