QUINCY, Mass. – October 23, 2007— After receiving more than 2,500 original entries from coast to coast, specialty retailer J. Jill today revealed the winner of its second annual “Nature of Compassion” t-shirt contest benefiting women in need. The winning design was submitted by Jennifer Reagles, a social worker from Middleton, Wis. Her Autumn’s Song creation received the most votes among the 10 finalists displayed in J. Jill stores and at www.jjill.com on July 16th through July 31st. J. Jill has produced a limited-edition tee bearing her unique design for sale this holiday season and will give 100% of the profits to local organizations who work to improve the lives of poor and homeless women. Starting October 25th, this long-sleeve cotton tee will be sold for $24.50 at any J. Jill store, catalog or online at www.jjill.com.

An alcohol and drug abuse counselor, Reagles is currently pursuing her Masters degree in social work. As a J. Jill customer, she heard about the contest through an email newsletter and said her design was inspired on the large nature conservancy in her own backyard. Her Autumn’s Song creation depicts a cluster of trees that have lost their leaves after the fall season. Only three leaves in striking colors of yellow, orange and red remain in the image as they fall to the ground.

"I was thrilled to hear my design was among the 10 finalists and completely overwhelmed by the news that my artwork received the most votes overall,” Reagles said. “Winning this contest is a huge honor that strikes the perfect harmony in my professional and artistic aspirations. The fact that my artwork will have a hand in helping women become more self-sufficient is more gratifying than I could ever express in words.”

As the winner, Reagles will receive an artistic getaway for herself and a friend to Artista Creative Safaris for Women in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California. In addition, she will receive a J. Jill shopping spree and her design will be prominently featured in all J. Jill stores, catalogs and online at www.jjill.com. A J. Jill shopping spree will also be awarded to each of the nine other finalists.

J. Jill has also produced a limited edition line of note cards featuring the designs from all 10 finalists in the “Nature of Compassion” contest, and will donate 100% of the profits to the J. Jill Compassion Fund. The note cards will retail for $10.00 in J. Jill stores beginning October 25th through the 2007 holiday season. Below are the 10 finalists in the 2007 Nature of Compassion t-shirt contest:

• Jennifer Reagles – Middleton, Wisconsin Winner by public vote!


• Kimberly Bardill – Wilmington, North Carolina


• Susan Handly – St. Helena, California


• Busha Husak – Malden, Massachusetts


• Anita Gildea – Fort Wayne, Indiana


• Paulina Manzo – Niskayuna, New York


• Frances McCloskey – Belmar, New Jersey


• Carrie Ralston – Wanaque, New Jersey


• Toby Reed – Newton, Massachusetts


• Jamie Wyant – Salem, Oregon

Long known for celebrating fashion’s artistic origins, J. Jill established the “Nature of Compassion” contest in 2006 as a way to showcase original works of art, pay homage to nature’s ever changing beauty and help women in need through its Compassion Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Boston Foundation supporting community-based organizations that help poor and homeless women become self-sufficient. Last year’s tee sold out quickly after its release and helped generate additional funds for Compassion Fund partners.

About The J. Jill Compassion Fund
The J. Jill Compassion Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Boston Foundation, is committed to providing support to community-based organizations that help poor and homeless women become self-sufficient. J. Jill Compassion Fund grants have supported more than 20 organizations that help women to empower themselves and change their lives. The J. Jill Compassion Fund was established in June 2002 and since its inception, J. Jill has donated more than $2.3 million to the Fund and recommended more than $1.5 million in grants.

About J. Jill
Established in 1987 as DM Management, J. Jill is a national specialty retailer, cataloger and e-tailer of women’s clothing and accessories with over 250 stores throughout the U.S. J. Jill became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Talbots, Inc. in May 2006. J. Jill offers clothing service and a serene shopping environment for the 35+ woman who takes care of everyone else. J. Jill stores carry relaxed weekend wear and casual business attire in a spectrum of sizes. The clothes are marked by fluid lines, feel-good fabrics, artful styling details and a cohesive color palette culled from nature. For more information, visit www.thetalbotsinc.com (corporate information) or www.jjill.com (online shopping site).

Images also available upon request by contacting betsy.thompson@talbots.com (1.781.741.4066)

Winner Jennifer Reagles

Winning design Autumn’s Song