Arkansas Woman of Inspiration Fashion Chairman Michelle DuVall combines her love of fashion and philanthropy to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas.
By Rebekah Hall | Photography by Sarah Oden | Hair by Mikala Ammons from The Electric Avenue |
Makeup by Bridget Baltimore with Barbara Jean | Wardrobe from Barbara Jean
Michelle DuVall is a gal about town. She’s renowned for her warm smile and winning personality along with her willingness to work tirelessly for countless Capital City nonprofit organizations. “If you know me, you know that I’ve always done a lot,” Michelle jokes. “Now I’m down to three categories that I consistently rotate – fashion, public relations, and nonprofits. You can find me doing any one of those three, or all three at the same time.” Michelle serves as a liaison between Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas Executive Director Elizabeth Pulley and Presenting Fashion Show Sponsor Barbara Jean to coordinate all the details and logistics for a glamorous + inspiring evening that will showcase the colorful, elegant, specialty designs of California designer Lourdes Chavez.
Michelle was introduced to CACA through her friendship with Sarah Hutchinson Wengel, former fashion chairman and daughter of inaugural Woman of Inspiration First Lady Susan Hutchinson. Michelle participated as a model in the fashion show the first year and has served on the auction committee. She hopes to dazzle guests at this year’s event. “We want to put on something that will really wow and entertain our guests,” she emphasizes.
Proceeds from the Woman of Inspiration Dinner support CACA’s work throughout the state – providing critical prosecution and related services that address child abuse and neglect. Each of the state’s 17 centers offers a safe environment where law enforcement, children protection services, prosecution, victim advocacy and health professionals develop coordinated strategies to address each child’s specific needs. Elizabeth Pulley explains a child advocacy center as a “multi-disciplinary approach to reduce trauma in child victims that have had sexual or physical abuse or neglect. It is a place where a child can come to receive medical and mental health services, and it helps the families navigate through advocacy during the legal process.”
This cause is close to Michelle’s heart. “Knowing some of these children, their stories and the things they’ve gone through touches me. I know individuals who have been molested or abused and didn’t know they had resources available to them, and it’s left permanent scars,” she reflects. “If I can lend my time to raise awareness or if my efforts can raise money, then I want to be able to help minimize the pain.”
