One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
South Pasadena Asks Ladies To Cover Up For 'Modesty Week'
This photo has been censored (Photo by Jason Stitt via Shutterstock)
Ladies: we hope you weren't recently cavorting around town in an outfit that bared your legs and shoulders and cleavage, because last week was officially declared "Modesty Week."We're a little late to the covered-up party, which is the brainchild of 15-year-old Saige Hatch, who started the Modesty Club at South Pasadena High School student this year.
Hatch explains why she started it on the club's website: "I noticed from elementary school to middle school, and now in high school a lot of girls were dressing immodestly. I wanted to bring awareness and remembrance to the value of modesty."
South Pasadena Mayor Michael Cacciotti declared last week Modesty Week at a City Council meeting on Wednesday, according to South Pasadena Patch. He told the Times, "Encouraging people to dress with dignity and respect and modesty is a good option. Part of this is an educational process about respecting other people’s opinions and working together in a constructive way. It’s a learning experience, I think."
Every club has its rules, so here are the Modesty Club's:
If it’s too tight it’s not quite right.
It’s best to flirt in a knee length skirt.
Shoulders and busts are graciously covered.
Revealing lines are warning signs.
Clean and neat catches eyes on the street.
When I pass this test I’ll be dressed for success!
Both boys and girls can take the modesty pledge, but there are different rules for each one (and the girl's list is a little longer).The club has gotten some blowback. A week after the club started vandals egged and scrawled graffiti on her dad's van. Hatch told the Times: "Some people get angry about it. I’m just trying to bring awareness. I’m not trying to force anyone. Obviously, they have their right to choose."
The name Hatch and a South Pasadena high schooler with a general aversion to modern mores might ring a bell. Saige is the younger sister of McKay Hatch, who started the No Cussing Club at South Pasadena when he was 14. He's at BYU now, but every now and then (here, here and here) he pops up to voice his disapproval of our potty-mouthed culture. Also, Sen. Orrin Hatch is the cousin of Saige's father.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
