Actress Kerry Washington recently teamed up domestic violence org Purple Purse to appear in a PSA. As an Allstate Foundation Purple Purse ambassador, Washington also also designed a handbag. In this context, a handbag is more than a fashion item, it’s also a symbol for how financial control is often connected to domestic violence. Washington also penned an essay for InStyle Magazine about her collaboration with Purple Purse.

When Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse Program reached out to me, I was deeply inspired to collaborate with them. I have worked around the issue of violence against women for a long time (with other organizations like V-Day), but I never thought about financial abuse in this specific, explicit way. I realized the opportunity to work with Purple Purse by designing a bag that represents empowerment, encourages awareness, and aids in getting women the help they need, would be a tangible, concrete way to make a difference.

One in four women will be a victim of domestic abuse. The goal of Purple Purse is to make talking about domestic violence, and the financial abuse that traps women in abusive relationships, easier and more commonplace. When you visit purplepurse.com you can see that it was created to look like a style or shopping site so that women who are struggling with these issues can visit and not feel embarrassed. It is designed to make women feel more comfortable while getting the help they may need.

When you donate at least $10 to any of the organizations listed in the Purple Purse Challenge, you’ll also be entered to win one of the lovely handbags designed by Kerry Washington.