J. Jill Announces Winner of 3rd Annual Nature of Compassion T-Shirt Contest Benefiting...

J. Jill Announces Winner of 3rd Annual Nature of Compassion T-Shirt Contest
Benefiting Women in Need

Texas-Native Toby Stevenson Wins with Butterfly Flurry

QUINCY, Mass., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- After receiving well over 500 original
entries nationwide, specialty retailer J. Jill today revealed the winner of
its third annual Nature of Compassion T-shirt contest benefiting women in
need. The winning design was submitted by Toby Stevenson from Waxahachie,
Texas. Her Butterfly Flurry creation received the most votes among the 10
finalists whose artwork was displayed in J. Jill stores and at www.jjill.com
starting January 5th through January 19th. Stevenson's design now graces a
limited edition t-shirt that will be available in J. Jill's stores, catalog
and website starting this Friday, April 24th. J. Jill will donate 100% of the
proceeds to the J. Jill Compassion Fund, which helps poor and homeless women
attain self-sufficiency. The short-sleeve cotton tee will retail for $19.50.

"I am thrilled that my artwork appealed to so many people," Stevenson said.
"Three years ago I was diagnosed with early symptoms of Parkinson's disease
and art gave my life a positive focus. I hope my Butterfly Flurry design will
serve as a symbol of hope and strength to many women in need."

A Texas native, Stephenson has been a J. Jill customer for 10 years and
learned about the Nature of Compassion Contest from the company's catalog.
Her watercolor artwork was inspired by the wildflowers that brighten Texas
roadsides each spring.

As the winner, Stevenson will receive an artistic getaway for herself and a
friend to Artista Creative Safaris for Women in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California,
plus a $2,000 J. Jill shopping spree. Additionally, her winning design will be
featured on a limited-edition t-shirt benefiting women in need. Each of the
nine finalists will receive a $500 J. Jill shopping spree.

Women from coast to coast submitted their original designs. The winner and
finalists of the 2008/2009 Nature of Compassion t-shirt contest include:

-- Toby Stevenson - Waxahachie, TX (winner by public vote!)
-- Lauren Rader - Bethesda, MD
-- Sharon Grinspan - Germantown, TN
-- Kimberly Viviano - Oak Park, IL
-- Chelsea Bester - Bellafonte, PA
-- Pamela Waclawski - Dunkirk, NY
-- AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt - Coconut Grove, FL
-- Brooke Everton - Lyndonville, VT
-- Hampus Bjorklund - Nashville, TN

-- Debra Sweeney - Houston, TX

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 the J. Jill Compassion Fund. This donor-advised
fund of the Boston Foundation supports community-based organizations that help
poor and homeless women become self-sufficient. Last year's t-shirt sold out
quickly after its release and helped generate additional funds for Compassion
Fund partners. For more information, visit www.jjill.com.

Artwork and photo of Toby Stevenson are available upon request
Contact patricia.pino@jjill.com

SOURCE J. Jill

Patricia Pino of J. Jill, +1-617-689-7810, patricia.pino@jjill.com