Tomorrow, March 9, is International Women's Day, and I am personally celebrating this day by doing everything I can to help women who are financially disadvantaged here at home in the U.S. and all countries abroad. I recognize that many (if not most) women do not have the choices we enjoy—choices that come with where you're born and the opportunities provided or denied by those circumstances. If you're born in a village in a third world country your opportunities are very limited. When I started traveling to countries such as Peru in order to research my fair trade gifts I saw women of every age trying to earn money in any respectable way they could, from offering photo opportunities to selling their handmade wares. This is much of what International Women's Day is about: creating more opportunities, more choices for women in less fortunate circumstances than ours.
Here at Shopping for a Change much of my daily work and mission involves working for women of the international community who craft beautiful, trendy, eco-friendly products, and also helping nonprofits in the U.S. which address women's needs. Every day I and a few other volunteers who assist me search out fair trade accessories, fair trade jewelry, fair trade clothing, fair trade home decor to offer to our customers while giving back to the women (and to a far lesser degree, men) who craft these products. Soon, I will have a baby line of products.
Please join me in celebrating tomorrow by supporting women here in the U.S. and all points abroad. My fair trade marketplace is a wonderful way to directly help women abroad with limited opportunities and choices. Thank you.
Live everyday as if it is International Women's Day.
