Hair is at the center of many Black women’s fondest memories, beginning at an early age: getting our hair braided in our mothers’ laps, failing at our first at-home hair dye jobs, and showing off our first-ever successful twist-out to friends. But along this beautiful journey of learning and loving our hair, we also face hair discrimination. 

According to Dove CROWN Research Study (2021), 1 in 2 Black girls experience race-based hair discrimination by age five. Black women are also 80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work. And Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home or know of a Black woman sent home from the workplace because of her hair. In the US, many states do not offer protection from this type of prejudice. This is particularly troubling because our hairstyles are inherent to racial identity. Without this protection, Black women can be denied employment or professional advancement opportunities without consequence. Also, Black children can be denied entry to school or educational opportunities because of their natural hair. 

Dove has stepped in to drive change and ensure Black women can wear their hair confidently and without fear.  

As a co-founding member of The CROWN Coalition, created and driven by a team of Black women leaders in partnership with several organizations and individuals, Dove is actively supporting the advancement of The CROWN Act. This law prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and style. The act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” has passed in 16 states and 43 municipalities. As part of The CROWN Coalition, Dove is working toward advancing this pivotal law at the Federal level. In March 2022, the Federal bill passed in the House of Representatives, and the next step is the Senate — but we cannot do it without the help of people advocating for and joining the movement.

On July 3, 2022, join Dove in celebrating National CROWN Day, commemorating the inaugural signing of The CROWN Act, first introduced into legislation by former California Senator Holly J. Mitchell in 2019. 

The time to end hair discrimination and #PassTheCROWN is now! How can you help? Sign the CROWN Act Petition today at Dove.com/CROWN. Already signed? Take less than one minute to email or tweet your senator to eradicate race-based hair discrimination in your state.

Follow @Dove and @TheCROWNAct to stay tuned on updates with The CROWN Act. Visit Dove.com/CROWN to learn more and TheCROWNAct.com to see more details about CROWN Day 2022.