To acknowledge International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, we are taking this opportunity to honor and recognize women the world over as true agents of social change. Through purchasing retail items that were once known only as tribal or village handicrafts, you can help support these women as they implement change within their communities through their successful entrepreneurial endeavors. Supporting women from around the world through fair trade is a direct and effective way to create sustainability and peace within a community. Economic empowerment is a goal we can all relate to and for some women it is a matter of life and death. This month we encourage you to fall in love with some of the beautiful, hand-made, one-of-a-kind pieces from our strong and inspiring sisters across the globe. In this way you can help support Women for Women International, support female entrepreneurs worldwide and get your best girlfriends a unique gift just in time for International Women’s Day!
Launched in 2005, Macy’s Path to Peace Project is changing lives by putting income-generating opportunities into the hands of Rwandan women. Today the project employs thousands of weavers yielding remarkable results that impact tens of thousands of lives. Because this initial campaign has proven so effective, Macy’s has embraced an even broader product line named Shop for a Better World which includes collections of limited-edition master works from artisans in recovering regions of Rwanda, Cambodia and Indonesia.
To take action on International Women’s Day, Global Exchange is pleased to introduce the Women Around the World Gift Basket, a collection of gifts made by women from around the world. The Kaisa grass basket from Bangladesh is filled with Putumayo’s ‘Women of World Acoustic’ CD release, Palestinian Olive Oil Soap from the Aseela Women’s Cooperative, Native Scents Goddess of the Bath Herbal Bath Bags, End the Embargo on Cuba -1 Pound Bag of Coffee, Choice Tea, Star Ornaments made by members of Thai Tribal Craft, Dip n’ Whisk Gift Set from ‘The Tomorrow Project’ (helping women create futures today), Greeting Card featuring a removeable hand-painted bottlecap ornament from the Batsiranai cooperative (a co-op of mothers with disabled children living in Zimbabwe), one dark Divine Chocolate Bar and a Recycled Flour Bag Shopping Tote, again from the Batsiranai Cooperative.
Peaceful Valley seeks out vendors that are committed to supporting environmental awareness, eco-friendly manufacture techniques and sustainable farming. Their products are chosen for sustainable characteristics as well as social responsibility. They do their best to buy locally. When they do order from other countries such as Brazil, Sri Lanka, China, Canada, Mexico and the Andes, they work with the owners of the companies to ensure that all imported products are manufactured under Fair Labor Standards
Indian textiles, art from Haiti, handicrafts from Eastern Europe, or jewelry from Asia… At Gaiam you can shop for fair trade merchandise by the region in which it was produced and help local artists and family craftspeople make a fair wage using traditional skills. “Tomorrow, I will have money; I will not have to beg, and my children can go to school,” says beadwork artisan Ms. Jagwati, summing up the most important reason to support fair trade: to restore someone’s hope, dignity, and smile. Jagwati comes from a slum in Delhi, one of many places around the world where fair trade is paving a way out of the cycle of poverty. By paying livable wages, funding schools and providing job training and child care assistance, fair trade is helping talented yet disadvantaged people gain ground against illiteracy, exploitation, slavery and human trafficking.
However fondly one looks upon the holiday season; with its flurry of parties, family visits, family recipes and a few too many egg-nog lattes, the new year always brings a sense of renewal. A sense that something’s gonna change or maybe that something’s gotta change. So what’s this sense of change about really and why does it appear to have a greater sense of urgency than in years past? With an economic downturn that’s affecting the entire international community, ongoing climate change issues and escalating political strife in so many areas worldwide, there’s definitely something different in the air. The springs of this New Year seem to be wound pretty tight — less like a nagging mother telling you to clean your room and more like a call to action to help find a solution for the mess we appear to be in.
One of the best ways to be a part of the solution is to be informed. The following media retailers offer access to that much needed information while earmarking a goodly percentage of every sale to YOUR favorite cause.
We all know and love Borders and Barnes & Nobles. But have you checked them out online lately? They both have beautiful, easy-to-use sites and you can designate up to 2.5% (Barnes & Noble) or 3% (Borders) of every sale to your chosen nonprofit group. With so many books, DVD’s and music at your fingertips you’re passions and interests will be sparked anew. These retailers ship within the US and to Canada.
Often the best way to learn about a country’s history is to take flight and explore the sites yourself. Lonely Planet believes that the more travelers know about the people and places they’re visiting, the more they’ll enjoy their trip and the less negative impact their presence will have. To this end, the guidebooks offer information on customs, etiquette, history, religion, art and politics. Lonely Planet authors are experienced, insightful travel experts. Their products will help with every part of your journey, guiding you with ease from the planning stages to the experience. Social Responsibility is high on their corporate to-do list and a hefty 7.5% of your purchases can be designated to help support your nonprofit of choice. This retailer ships within the US and to Canada.
BBC online is now available to us Yanks, as well as to our Canadian friends through two separate sites. All of North America can now shop easily for Britain’s best in books, videos music and more. Their tag line says it all — entertaining, informing, inspiring — couple that with up to 3.8% of sales available for you to earmark to go to your favorite charity and BBC online will quickly turn into an all-around favorite resource center.
The quality of media available through the National Geographic website is as fascinating and fun as it is educational. Whether your passion lies with people and culture, nature and animals or space and science – you can bring the phenomenal poignancy of National Geographic magazine to life on your television (or computer screen) while traveling through history and into the future. Everyone who craves colorful information about life on this planet and beyond needs to become familiarized with this great site. Earmark 4% of whatever you buy toward your favorite cause and explore the world. This retailer ships within the US and to Canada.
Similarly Shop PBS has an amazing site full of good-for-your-head books and shows. Enjoy all their great well-known programs and so much more. Spend cozy evenings in the company of family and friends while learning something new or taking a deeper look into a favorite topic. Learn and give 5% to your cause while in pursuit of knowledge. This retailer ships within the US and to Canada.
Our Green House and Gaiam are great outlets to learn more about healthy and sustainable living for both you and the environment. These sites are more than just shops — in fact, they are like training centers, in that they provide so much great information on all things green. If your lifestyle is in need of a redesign, you’ll find a fresh template here. Designate 4% of every sale to the charity that you’re most passionate about and start experiencing change… see – you’re becoming more Zen already. These retailers ship within the US.
