
The Pretty in Pink initiative, founded in 2014, has grown into a vital community movement aimed at raising awareness about bullying and promoting kindness. Led by youth through Synergy, the local youth council, the initiative’s focus has always been to combat bullying by encouraging people to wear pink on Pink Shirt Day, which takes place on the last Wednesday in February.
However, as Terry Gill, Program Manager at Synergy, explains, not everyone has a pink shirt, which led to the creation of a unique solution: buttons. These buttons provide an alternative way for people to show their support. The initiative has continued to evolve with different themes each year, such as “Let Kindness Grow” for 2025. The buttons, priced at $2 for students and $5 for adults, are sold to raise money for youth-serving charities.
“It’s not just about making money,” Gill explains. “It’s about raising awareness and telling people, you know, wear something pink on that day, or here’s a button as an alternative.” Each year, a portion of the funds raised through button sales goes back to the program itself to cover the costs of producing the buttons and supporting leadership initiatives. The rest is donated to important youth charities.
Since 2015, the initiative has been bringing its message directly to students through school assemblies. The youth council performs skits and engages with elementary school students to help them understand the impact of bullying. “We’ve noticed that peer-to-peer education resonates most with kids,” Gill shares. “When they hear from someone their own age, they really connect with it.”

“A lot of youth don’t realize, or people might not realize, that adults bully youth as well,” Gill says. “Sometimes, the power dynamic with teachers and other adults causes bullying to go unnoticed or untreated.” These assemblies allow for interactive lessons that teach kids what bullying looks like, how it differs from rude or mean behaviour, and what they can do if they witness or experience bullying.
In the past, the team has delivered up to three assemblies in one day, reaching dozens of schools each year. However, as attention spans decrease, especially in younger students, the youth council is changing things up. “We’re moving toward a more interactive format with stations instead of long assemblies,” says Gill. “This way, students stay more engaged and can have more intimate conversations about bullying.”

“We get positive feedback,” Gill says. “We’ll sometimes show short YouTube clips that are impactful, but we’ll also do something like the toothpaste activity. You know, when you’re spreading rumours, right? Squeeze out toothpaste. You can’t put it back in.”
Looking ahead, the Pretty in Pink initiative is expanding its reach and impact. “Our goal is to continue raising awareness in schools, but we also want to start involving more community members in our efforts,” says Gill. He hopes that as the initiative continues to grow, it can further address issues like adult bullying.
The Pretty in Pink movement is about more than just wearing a button or a shirt—it’s about building a culture of kindness and inclusivity. As Gill puts it, “You’ll hear the story… there is a suicide, and bullying was related to it, and then people take it seriously. We try to focus on… the prevention aspect. Let’s try to change the culture.”
You can support Pink Shirt Day by purchasing a button from various locations around Chestermere. Buttons will be available at several schools, as well as at City Hall, the CRCA, and the Synergy Community Centre. You can also support by donating online through Synergy’s website.