Pink Shirt Day: February 26, 2025

Pink Shirt Day is celebrated annually in Canada on the last Wednesday in February to raise awareness about bullying and raise funds to support programs that foster children’s healthy self-esteem. Now a movement celebrated across the globe, Pink Shirt Day was inspired by an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia:

“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.” (Globe & Mail)

After David and Travis’ act of kindness in 2007, CKNW 980 in Vancouver was inspired to help other youth affected by bullying, with many staff members wearing pink shirts and collecting funds to support Boys and Girls Clubs. Since then, the idea has only grown each year, with worldwide support and participation.

About Pink Shirt Day 2025

This year is all about cultivating a community of kindness. Just like tending to a garden, together we can each help nurture a sense of belonging where we live, work, and go to school. It all starts with small gestures— a kind word, an offer of support or understanding. If we plant enough, pretty soon, more will be sprouting up all around us! By sprinkling these seeds of empathy and compassion, we can work towards a world without bullying and “Let Kindness Grow” through all of our community gardens.

Find details below about our Pink Shirt Day Activity, and discover our list of books for adults, teens, and children that inspire empathy, understanding, and positive change.