When DeNaesha Gonzalez saw a novel silver purse with tags on the shelves next to baby lotion and children’s medication in her local Target, she was overwhelmed with compassion. Gonzalez, a mother herself, knew the mom who left that purse behind made the choice to sacrifice something for herself to provide for her child. Although she never saw the mom who left that bag behind, she wanted her to know she was appreciated.
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“To the Mother who chose themselves last, you deserve the world tonight and always,🤎” she captioned a September 4 video posted on TikTok.
The post has since received over 4.5 million likes and tens of thousands of comments from other mothers who could relate to the struggle.
“Crying cause it’s so much more then a purse, it’s a representation of all our sacrifices🥹,” wrote someone.
Others took time to share messages of appreciation to the mothers who always put them first.
“When I get angry at my mom but remember she sold her wedding ring just so she could have enough money to feed me and my brother,” someone wrote.
Gonzalez’ now-viral video has inspired others to aid moms do more for themselves. A quick search of the hashtag #shedeservedthepurse will produce videos shared by people hoping to pay it forward by hiding cash and gift cards inside boxes of diapers and medication in their local stores. Gonzalez says she hopes to continue to expand the movement’s reach with the aid of brand partnerships.
“There were just times where I didn’t have or there were times where I had to put down certain things so that my son could have,” she told NBC News. “And so I think it just was a moment where I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is so familiar.’”
But unfortunately, not everyone jumping on the trend has the best intentions. The trend has produced some bad actors as videos have appeared online of people opening diaper and formula containers in stores to look for money.
But Gonzalez is hopeful that even more good will come out of this movement. She recently posted a clip thanking those who have done what they can to aid other women.
“An intimate moment between myself and a purse has sparked a movement that has left me speechless. I am so blessed to see the outpour of love that has blessed hundreds of women! I pray this generosity continues beyond local stores and makes its way to mothers EVERYWHERE,” she captioned a September 25 TikTok video.
