Rachel Anne Accurso, better known as Ms. Rachel, popular American YouTuber and Influencer has made one of the strongest statements of the night at Glamour’s 2025 Women of the Year Awards, using her red-carpet appearance and acceptance speech to turn fashion and words into a message of empathy and activism.
Ms. Rachel, widely known for her educational YouTube and Netflix content that helps children learn through songs and sign language, was honored by Glamour for her influence both in media and advocacy. Her powerful gesture came in the form of an upcycled dress embroidered with artwork made by children in Gaza.
A Dress That Told a Story
Ms. Rachel’s gown featured a black sheath skirt and a white boat-neck bodice, intricately embroidered with cartoon-style images drawn by kids from Gaza. Each piece of embroidery represented the personal story of a child, from a dove covered in flowers to a young girl hugging a watermelon—a fruit that has become symbolic for the people of Palestine.
On Instagram, Ms. Rachel shared the names of the children whose artwork adorned her dress, writing:
“I’m so proud to share art from amazing children in Gaza @with_anfal.8 @ahmedh.madi @ranadaughterofgaza @shosho_shahed8 @luna.o.hamdan @sarah_story9 @iimrahaf.9,” She added, “We did it! You are all so amazing and everyone loved hearing all about you, seeing your pictures and hearing your stories! The dress is upcycled and donations were made to all the children from me ?.”
Styled by Risa Kostis and paired with earrings from House of Whitty, the look captured the attention of attendees and media alike.
Advocacy Beyond the Red Carpet
While Ms. Rachel has spoken on several social causes, her advocacy for the children of Gaza has been particularly strong. She even featured a three-year-old double amputee named Rahaf on her show to raise awareness. “I have to just remind myself that kids’ lives are more important than my reputation,” she told Glamour.
“My love and care for children doesn’t stop at my own children. It doesn’t stop at the children in our country. It embraces every child of the world. And I don’t think that our love should end at religion or skin color or where people are born. I think that that’s not what’s right, in my soul.” She continued
“When I see children suffering anywhere, I just think about, What if that was my child? I put myself in people’s shoes, and I just do what I would want another person to do for me. Children should have human rights, and children do have human rights. To me, that grown-ups are failing children and not following those guidelines, it’s so upsetting.” Ms. Rachel added
Carrying Their Stories
Ahead of the ceremony, which took place on November 4 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, Glamour revealed that Ms. Rachel had personally asked children in Gaza to create artwork sharing their experiences. Each image was then embroidered onto her dress. “I’m thinking about all the little ones there and what we can do for them,” she told livestream hosts Brooks and Grace Ann Nader on the red carpet. “I’m carrying their stories in my heart. They all know about the dress, and they’re so excited.”
A Message of Empathy and Perseverance
During her acceptance speech, Ms. Rachel reflected on the theme of sisterhood and the importance of compassion in times of crisis. She thanked her mother, who raised her and her sister as a single parent, and her sister Rebecca, saying, “We started a band called the Sisteristics, so I think that’s really in the spirit of sisterhood. It was really weird,” she joked, earning laughter from the audience.
“She always reminded me that the hateful responses aren’t what matters; what matters are the people who are suffering. And those of us who see things clearly and morally need to support their voices and their calls for justice.” Her tone quickly turned heartfelt as she added
“No matter how hard some people try to convince us that empathy is wrong, it’s right. No matter how hard people try to convince us that diversity is a weakness, it’s a strength. No matter how hard people try to convince us that love is limited, it’s limitless.” Ms. Rachel continued
Speaking earlier to Glamour’s global editorial director, Samantha Barry, Ms. Rachel opened up about her decision to advocate for children all over the world, specifically in areas of crisis such as Gaza and Sudan.
“My love and care for children doesn’t stop at my own children,” she explained. “It doesn’t stop at the children in our country. It embraces every child of the world. I don’t think that our love should end at religion or skin color or where people are born.”
Arriving at the event with her husband, Aron Accurso – known affectionately to fans as Mr. Aron – Ms. Rachel turned heads in her upcycled gown featuring embroidery on the capelet and train. The designs were drawn from sketches sent to her by Gazan children. “Tonight I am wearing this beautiful dress that has art from kids in Gaza, and these kids are just amazing,” she said in her speech. “They’re so thoughtful and so brilliant.”
She went on to shout-out all the children who contributed artwork to her dress, and specifically a little girl named Rana, who lost both of her sisters ‘Haya’ and ‘Jana’ to the genocide.
“I want to end with her words because they’re more important than mine,” Ms. Rachel said. “Rana wanted to say, ‘I want to tell the world my sisters are not numbers. They are moons. They are like the stars—they shine and sparkle.’”
The crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation, moved by her words and by the meaning behind her dress.
A Platform With Purpose
Beyond her viral videos and teaching songs, Ms. Rachel presides over a massive media empire that spans 13 billion YouTube views, 9 books, bestselling toys, and a Netflix series that has reached more than 53 million viewers. Yet, it is her humanitarian voice that continues to resonate the loudest.
“I’m always thinking about kids in need,” Ms. Rachel told Glamour. “I have these briefings where I learn what it’s like to be a kid in the hardest places. I don’t think having a platform comes with negatives. One of the positives is being able to highlight issues and get a message to a bigger audience. I think it’s a big responsibility that should be used as much as possible.”
Through her words and actions, Ms. Rachel continues to show that compassion knows no borders. Her Glamour Women of the Year moment wasn’t just about a dress – it was about giving children in Gaza a voice on one of the world’s biggest stages.
