In a heartwarming gesture, six sanitation workers from Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, traded in their familiar orange work uniforms for elegant traditional Chinese attire known as horse-face skirts on March 6. The act was part of a collaborative effort between a local charity organization and a media outlet.

The event, which served as a prelude to International Women's Day, aimed to honor and celebrate the often-overlooked heroes of the city - the sanitation workforce.

Volunteers and photographers worked together to provide the workers with stunning makeovers before capturing them in a series of captivating portraits.

Among the participants was Li Zhaoxia, born in the 1990s, who has been working as a sanitation worker for three years. Li expressed her dedication to her profession, emphasizing that being a sanitation worker allows her to spend more time with her children while contributing to keeping the city clean. She highlighted the sense of community and familial bond she has formed with the residents in the area she's assigned to, who treat her like family.

This marked her second time participating in a costume event. Li doesn't usually have time to dress up due to her maternal obligations, but for this event, she chose a fresh and youthful dress for herself.

"There is a little girl living in my heart, and today I want to be a beautiful me," Li said with a radiant smile.

Another participant, 38-year-old Han Ali, transitioned from a career as a fashion designer to become a sanitation worker two years ago. She and her husband, who were both previously engaged in competitive fashion design work in Shenzhen, found a new sense of fulfillment in their roles as sanitation workers in Wenling.

Han said that the physically active nature of the job allowed them to enjoy a healthier lifestyle, in contrast to the sedentary demands of their previous profession. For the event, she chose a vibrant red horse-face skirt, embracing her femininity and relishing the opportunity to express her inner womanhood.

This event marked the third consecutive year that Wenling organized a makeover for sanitation workers, previously featuring street fashion shoots and traditional hanfu attire.

Jiang Jingqing, secretary-general of the Wenzhou Charity Volunteers Association, emphasized that this year's event aimed to showcase the workers' beauty, confidence, and charm while expressing gratitude and care for their invaluable contributions to the city.

In recent years, Wenling has continually improved various support mechanisms for sanitation workers, organizing volunteer-led activities such as free haircuts, photography sessions for exemplary workers, and charitable visits from local businesses. Additionally, the city has taken steps to provide sanitation workers with weather-appropriate gear, as well as food and beverages, while actively promoting respect, understanding, and support for these essential members of the community.