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Scandal's Kerry Washington has been passionate about women's empowerment and domestic violence issues for years, and now for the third year, Washington has signed on to be an ambassador for the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse campaign, which benefits victims and survivors of domestic and financial abuse.

"For me, it's just such an ideal partnership, because selfishly I just participate and work in areas that are very important to me, meaning both fashion and supporting women's empowerment," Washington, 39, tells PEOPLE.