There are more than 200 specialty tags available in Mississippi, and a Rankin County teenager is working to add one more.A life-changing assault has given Annamarie White a mission."When I was 15, I was molested," Annamarie said.It wasn't always easy for White to talk about what happened to her two years ago."I actually waited six months to tell my parents, and I went through so much pain and struggle," Annamarie said. "I realized I can't sit here and think that everything is going to be OK at the snap of a finger."When White finally did tell, she said a weight lifted off her shoulders. Her parents were shocked."It was awful. I was sad. I was mad. Every emotion I could be," mother Amy White said. "I watch the struggles she goes through somedays, just agonizing. She had to be pulled out of school to be homeschooled. She's seen so many therapists. It's hard."Annamarie has found strength in sharing her story – in therapy and online. And a routine drive with her mom gave her another idea to connect with victims."We were driving home from my grandma's house and I saw all these specialty tags and I said, 'Why don't they have anything for this subject that's not talked about?' And that's because it's not talked about," Annamarie said.So, she created her own. Annamarie and a family friend designed what would be the first license plate for sexual assault survivors in Mississippi."I want to support my daughter in her journey at any level," said father Kevin White."I thought it would be a wonderful healing process for her and a project to be proud of," Amy White said.This spring, Annamarie mailed information on her tag to all 82 Mississippi counties. She has to pre-sell 300 before the tags are produced."I'm just at the beginning of my journey," Annamarie said. "I hope I'll be able to be more vocal than I already am. Helping a lot more people is my main goal."The specialty tag fee is $33. The Center for Violence Prevention receives $24 from every sale. Tap here to apply for the tag.
There are more than 200 specialty tags available in Mississippi, and a Rankin County teenager is working to add one more.
A life-changing assault has given Annamarie White a mission.
"When I was 15, I was molested," Annamarie said.
It wasn't always easy for White to talk about what happened to her two years ago.
"I actually waited six months to tell my parents, and I went through so much pain and struggle," Annamarie said. "I realized I can't sit here and think that everything is going to be OK at the snap of a finger."
When White finally did tell, she said a weight lifted off her shoulders. Her parents were shocked.
"It was awful. I was sad. I was mad. Every emotion I could be," mother Amy White said. "I watch the struggles she goes through somedays, just agonizing. She had to be pulled out of school to be homeschooled. She's seen so many therapists. It's hard."
Annamarie has found strength in sharing her story – in therapy and online. And a routine drive with her mom gave her another idea to connect with victims.
"We were driving home from my grandma's house and I saw all these specialty tags and I said, 'Why don't they have anything for this subject that's not talked about?' And that's because it's not talked about," Annamarie said.
So, she created her own. Annamarie and a family friend designed what would be the first license plate for sexual assault survivors in Mississippi.
"I want to support my daughter in her journey at any level," said father Kevin White.
"I thought it would be a wonderful healing process for her and a project to be proud of," Amy White said.
This spring, Annamarie mailed information on her tag to all 82 Mississippi counties. She has to pre-sell 300 before the tags are produced.
"I'm just at the beginning of my journey," Annamarie said. "I hope I'll be able to be more vocal than I already am. Helping a lot more people is my main goal."
The specialty tag fee is $33. The Center for Violence Prevention receives $24 from every sale. Tap here to apply for the tag.
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