These women formed Arte Comasagua, an artisan group in El Salvador that we are proud to work with.

Poverty and gender inequality are main factors which cause women worldwide to lack employment opportunities and to struggle to support themselves without the aid of men. Engaging in trade can be especially difficult because in many societies it is considered inappropriate for women to take part in this type of work. Fair Trade promotes gender equality through imparting equal wages and providing women with economic opportunities. It also encourages women to take on leadership positions and to fully participate in discussion and decision making about business practices.

Fair Trade gives women the chance to provide for themselves and their families, which strengthens their position in society and gives them the resources and skills needed to take control of their lives and futures. Below are examples from around the world of women who have been empowered by Fair Trade and were able to create a better life for themselves.

Rwanda

Fair Trade USA featured a story on Hinga Kawa, a Women’s Association, which is part of the  Abakunda Kawa cooperative and is comprised of a group of women who joined together as a community to sell their coffee. Many of these women are widows or orphans due to the genocide in their country, so they hold many responsibilities at home as well as at work in the coffee fields. By forming Hinga Kawa, these women are able to take pride in selling coffee that they have grown and also have a supportive network of women who share their hardships. Although Fair Trade has not made these women rich, it has provided them with an income that will allow them to send their children to school and still be able to feed them.

Hinga Kawa Women’s Association of coffee farmers in Rwanda

Brazil

The story of one woman, Donha Conceção, also featured by Fair Trade USA exemplifies the major, life changing impact that Fair Trade can have on struggling women worldwide.  When Donha Conceção was widowed with five children to care for, she was left with only the knowledge of coffee farming as means of survival.  After a period of extremely difficult times, she decided to join the Fair Trade Certified coffee cooperative, Coocafé, where she learned to farm more sustainably.  Through their aid she was able to increase the quality and price of her coffee.  The resulting success of her coffee business enabled her to provide for her family and send all of her children to school.  She became the first woman to be elected to Coocafé’s board.

India and Nepal

The World Fair Trade Organization conducted research on the role of women in the market and what benefits they receive from group membership and Fair Trade.  They looked the Artisans Association, ACP (Association for Craft Producers) and WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing), which are Fair Trade working projects for impoverished women in India and Nepal. The women involved were able to earn their own income in a society where women face many restrictions such as the inability to receive higher education and a lack of resources or employment options. They reported that the rare opportunity they were given allowed them to become skilled, capable craftswomen in a safe environment.  Also, the contribution they made to their household income changed their husband’s attitudes towards them, causing them to be treated with with more respect and to be given more authority.

Photo: Carol Wills

In numerous other countries around the world women are benefiting from the increase in Fair Trade initiatives.  What could be better motivation to support Fair Trade than to know that your purchases are ethical and are contributing to the ability of women worldwide to take control of their lives.

Sources:

Barrow, Katie. 2010. Women, Coffee & Hope: Fair Trade is Blossoming in the Hills of Rwanda. Fair Trade USA.

FairtradeUSA. 2010. Grandmother, Coffee Farmer, Leader: Meet Donha Conceção.

Jones, Elaine. 2012. Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Fair Trade: Case Studies from India and Nepal. World Fair Trade Organization.

Photo: “Women Coffee farmers in Rwanda” from Fair Trade USA.

Here are a few ideas on how to ensure that your spring break fun is as environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible as possible.

1. Go on an Alternative Spring Break this year

Operation Groundswell is offering a Fair Trade Alternative Spring Break trip to Guatemala this year to cultivate coffee and learn about Fair Trade.  During this week long trip you will be immersing yourself in Guatemalan culture and living like the locals.

2. Choose an Eco-Friendly Destination

Healthy Voyager has a list of the top 10 best eco-vacation spots in the world.  This article highlights destinations cities in the Americas, Africa, Europe and South Asia where you can find ecologically friendly lodges, tours and activities as well as delicious, healthy food.

3. Stay at a Green Hotel & Choose Green Activities

The “Green Hotels Association” explains the importance of choosing to stay at a green hotel for your next vacation.  Their website displays an extensive list of all of their member hotels, which are located around the world.

Independent Traveler provides numerous lists of varying types of Eco-Friendly lodging, which range from hostels and bed & breakfasts, to hotels and resorts.  They have a range green lodging options for every type of traveler.  They also provide an exhaustive list of eco-friendly tour operators that will allow you to partake on any adventure, while still being environmentally conscious!

4. Have a Staycation

Having fun on Spring Break doesn’t mean that you have to jet off to a far away destination.  Staying close to home can also be a blast. Not only will you be saving on travel and lodging expenses, but you can also feel good about reducing your carbon footprint this vacation by not flying or going on a road trip.  The article How to Plan an Eco Friendly Staycation from World Savvy presents ideas on how to get started and get the most out of your staycation.

5. Look into Eco Friendly Fashion for your Spring Wardrobe

When shopping for spring break essentials and must haves for this spring, consider green, socially responsible clothing companies.  Alternative, for example, is an ecologically conscious  global company that prides itself on having very strict vendor guidelines and principles insuring that poor labor practices are not involved in the production of their clothing. They strive to keep their values in line with Fair Trade principles through working primarily with local manufacturers in their product’s country of origin and insuring that the original producers receive the rewards of their work directly.

For more Eco Friendly fashions for Spring check out this collection of green clothing and accessories from Metromix St. Louis.  These designs are made of organic fabrics or recycled materials and are sweat shop free.

To learn more about clothing brands that are ecologically responsible, read Teen Vogue’s article Nine Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands to Know.

6. Follow these 7 Smart Travel Tips

Read the article Seven tips to ensure a green Spring Break from The Independent Florida Alligator for simple travel tips to keep you conscious of the environment throughout your vacation.

Here are some ideas on creative and socially responsible alternatives to the average Valentines Day gift:

1. Fair Trade Chocolate- Chocolate is an essential part of every Valentines Day, but this year consider options such as the Valentines products from Divine Chocolate, the only Fair Trade chocolate company which is 45% owned by the farmers. Company ownership gives the farmers a share of Divine’s profits and a stronger voice in the cocoa industry.  Another option, which comes in wide array of unique flavors is Alter Eco chocolate. They offer 10 different types of chocolate bars such as dark coconut toffee, dark quinoa, dark mint, and dark with crystallized orange peel. A third Fair Trade, organic option is Equal Exchange chocolate, which comes in a variety of forms and flavors, each as delicious as the next!

2. Fair Trade Flowers- Many people are not aware of the exploitation that occurs within the cut flower business in order to keep costs low.  Commit to buying Fair Trade flowers this Valentines Day in order to insure that you are not contributing to the mistreatment and abuse of workers.  One wonderful option is One World Flowers, an organization that sells all Fair Trade roses and has a large selection of Valentines Day bouquets.  One of the arrangements in particular, the Helping Haiti bouquet allows you to contribute to a cause while showing appreciation for your valentine because 10% of the purchase price is given as a donation to Samaritan’s Purse relief efforts in Haiti.  Another great option if there is a Whole Foods near you is to buy their Whole Trade Guaranteed or certified organic flower arrangements.  These floral products are grown according to strict criteria for ethical trade and earth-friendly farming.

Whole Foods Whole Trade Guaranteed Flower Selection

One World Flowers Fair Trade Bouquet

3. Fair Trade Wine-  A bottle of wine is another essential component of most Valentines Day celebrations, so why not make it Fair Trade? There are now Fair trade wineries in Argentina, Chile and South Africa.  Here is a list of the the Top 10 Fair Trade Wines to help you make the best selection.

4. Fair Trade Jewelry & Accessories- At Hope For Women we are offering a Valentines Day special of 15% off select purple, red and pink products, which would make perfect gifts for your valentine! If you are looking to buy specifically gold jewelry for your special someone, check out Fair Trade and Fair Mined gold from the Fairtrade Foundation.

Tagua Twigs Cuff Bracelet – Fire -

Fair Trade & Fair Mined Gold

ReStyle Men’s Wallet – Red -

A Brief History

Up until World War II, tagua was a widely used material and was exported from South America on a massive scale.  In the early part of the 19th century approximately $5,000,000.00 worth of tagua seeds were exported annually from South America.  The major producing countries were Ecuador and Colombia; Ecuador reached a peak in 1929 when it exported 56,861,236 pounds of tagua. Throughout the 1920s, 20% of all buttons produced in the US were made from this material.  However, with the introduction of plastic, and other cheaper synthetic alternatives, the popularity of this unique natural material drastically declined.

How Hope for Women Uses Tagua Today

Tagua has exceptional carvability, which is where it’s nickname, Vegetable Ivory stems from. This quality makes it the perfect material to create jewelry from.  The tagua seed is removed from it’s pod, stripped from its outer shell and polished.  Depending on the desired look, the hull is either completely removed or only partially in order to create a striped “zebra” look.

The Harvesting of Tagua

There is no harm done to the rainforest during the harvesting of tagua because these seeds are collected after they have fallen to the ground.  In fact, the collection of tagua helps to provide incentive to local forest inhabitants to keep the rainforest intact. At Hope for Women, we use two different types of tagua seeds from Colombia.  Chicon tagua grows in the upper montane rainforests in the Narino Department of Colombia and is collected by Awa Indians who are indigenous to the region.  Coastal tagua, which is bigger than chicon, grows in the Pacific coastal rainforests of southwestern Colombia and is collected by Afro-Colombians.  The collection of these seeds provides great opportunity and much needed income to both groups who harvest them, helping to improve their lives.

Afro-Colombian collectors

An Awa Indian collector

View this slideshow and video to see and learn more about the complete harvesting process:

The Finished Product

Finished whole tagua in multiple colors – both solid and zebra

Tagua is an excellent material to work with for jewelry making not only because it can be cut, carved and polished with ease, but it also because it easily absorbs coloring agents.  This allows you to find tagua pieces in your favorite colors! Hope for Women artisans handcraft the tagua seeds into beautiful pieces of jewelry such as the ones below:

A Hope For Women artisan from India who helps to create our beautiful handmade cards.

Hard to believe it is over two weeks into the new year!  Are you still struggling to decide on a New Year’s Resolution? We have a great suggestion for you that will positively impact many other lives as well as your own.  Why not make the commitment to buying Fair Trade products whenever possible? By making this resolution, you will be insuring that the products you purchase are created by people who are earning a fair, livable wage for their hard work.  With Fair Trade products, everyone wins; workers are empowered, lives are improved, and consumers are able to buy amazing products that are produced in a way that is line with their values and beliefs.  Here are a few ideas on how you can begin acting on this New Year’s resolution:

1. Give a Fair Trade Gift EarthLover is a Fair Trade,  Eco Friendly retailer that sells beautiful, handmade goods from around the world. They carry a wide variety of bags, shoes, wallets and other accessories for men, women and babies as well as home goods and body products. http://www.earthlovershopping.com/

Gifts with Humanity is another business that sells hand-crafted, Fair Trade products from various regions across the globe.  They have a diverse assortment of tableware and home decor, which could be given as the perfect hostess gift. http://www.giftswithhumanity.com/

Hope for Women carries a large selection of unique jewelry and accessories to choose from, which are made from innovative recycled materials such as tire tube and Eco leather. http://www.hopeforwomen.com/lifestyle/products/

2. Send a Fair Trade Card Hope for Women carries beautiful, handmade, “tree-free” paper cards.  These artistic cards are perfect for any occasion.  Valentine’s Day, for example is just around the corner and our gracefully designed cards created with pressed wild flowers would make the perfect valentine!  http://www.hopeforwomen.com/lifestyle/products/indianotecardcollection/

3. Drink Fair Trade Coffee An alternative goal to reducing your coffee consumption could be to instead commit to buying it responsibly by finding Fair Trade certified options. This allows you to support coffee farmers and eco-friendly farming methods while continuing to satiate your caffeine addiction.  Grounds for Change for example is a certified organic coffee roaster, which specializes in 100% Fair Trade coffee and also sells Fair Trade organic tea, hot chocolate and chocolate bars.  http://www.groundsforchange.com/index.php?

4. Start Buying More Fair Trade Foods Equal Exchange is a co-op that sells not only Fair Trade coffee, but also numerous other Fair Trade products from farmers worldwide such as tea, almonds, chocolate, sugar, olive oil, and bananas. This co-op can help you to purchase many of the foods that you buy on a regular basis, in a way that empowers small farmers and encourages sustainable farming methods! http://www.equalexchange.coop/index.php

Happy World Environment Day!

Did you know that even today, there are still less women than men in disciplines expected to create green jobs like energy, engineering, and industry? In fact, UN Women estimates that female employees make up only about 20 percent of the energy industry, most in nontechnical fields, but states that where women have been involved in environmental decision-making, greater improvements to education, clean water, and management of the environmental community have been among some of the results.

At Hope for Women, we believe not only in protecting the livelihood of women around the world, but also about protecting the environment around them. By working to sell fair trade products that are eco-friendly and come in environmentally sustainable packaging, we connect an empowering future for women with a more sustainable future for the environment, which we believe is the best future possible. So, in celebration of this mission and yesterday’s world environment day, we list here five ways that you can take part in this international event!

1. Rather than buying new things every time you need something, consider recycling and reusing products instead. For instance, freecycle is a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. And this isn’t the only one out there! For example, recycle:

• old cell phones, cameras, iPods, etc. to Recycle for Charities
• building materials to Habitat for Humanity
• old eyeglasses to Lions Clubs International
• clothes, nick-knacks, toys, and kitchenware to a local Goodwill store

2. Pack a waste-free lunch. That is, instead of using throw-away bags, paper napkins, and plastic silverware, use reusable containers, a cloth napkin, silverware, and a thermos or reusable water bottle. Even better: encourage everyone in your family, at school, and at the workplace to do the same!

3. Need new decorations for your home? Need help thinking up an inexpensive, thoughtful gift for a friend, relative, or neighbor? Consider eco-crafting! Here are some great, environmentally sustainable project ideas:

• Rather than wasting paper by wrapping gifts, make gift bags from recycled newspaper!
• Make dull lamp shades stand out by adding pages of recycled phone books, see here.
• Combine wildflower seeds and recycled paper to make these cute seedbombs, a gift that once passed out, can keep growing!
• Create beautiful magazine bowls out of your old magazines!
• Reuse your old jeans to make pot holders, purses, tote bags, quilts, iPod holders, and more.

4. As much as possible, make your home tree-free! Try to replace paper napkins with cloth, print on recycled or once-used paper, leave messages on a dry-erase or other reusable message board, switch to a digital organizer for your grocery list (and then you can’t forget it at home either!), replace paper towels with rags (made from your unwanted clothes!) or cloth towels, pay bills online, etc.

5. Finally, the simplest gift is often the most powerful. By planting one tree for someone else or with someone else, you can pass along an eco-friendly message, insuring that World Environment Day 2012 will create a legacy of environmental sustainability for future generations. Because, really, every day is world environment day.

Want to read more? Check out these 50 simple ways you can help save the planet! And most importantly, don’t forget to pass the message along to someone else so you can contribute to a more eco-friendly world!

  1.

2. For the on-the-go traveling, working, studying, or maybe even relaxing graduate, a good backpack is a must. The Pencil Promise is an amazing  organization that pledges to donate one backpack to a child in need in Cambodia or India for every backpack you purchase online. Their new Maasai collection of backpacks made from 100% Maasai wool is not only trendy, but is also made by widows of the Maasai Tribe who, due to their marginalized status in society, often do not have access to education or employment. The two-strap backpack is also roomy and comfortable -guaranteed not to hurt the back of the busy and fast-moving post-grad!

 
  3. For the fashionable, but also environmentally and socially-conscious graduate, products that you look good in and that you can feel good about buying are essential. Hope for Women’s beautiful SimpliciTree tagua bracelets, necklaces, and earrings provide opportunities for women artisans in Colombia while also providing incentive to protect valuable rainforest habitat where tagua is harvested. Committed to providing sustainable employment for economically disadvantaged women worldwide, Hope for Women sells products made exclusively by women to help them gain independence in their lives and futures. All items come in turquoise, rust, stone, or amethyst color.

  4. For the post-grad traveler out to see the world, a journal for writing down thoughts and notes is always a good idea, especially when that notebook is eco-friendly. Tall Trees Eco Store is a great place to find affordable and environmentally sustainable notepads and pens. Their Traveler Journal Gift Pack includes a travel journal handmade in Northern India by women artisans and a biodegradable pen made from corn starch.

5. Finally, for those who prefer to donate money rather than give material gifts, think about donating for your graduate to Heifer International. On their website, you can choose your purchase from an array of gifts like a cow, sheep, llama that can produce sustenance and a livelihood for a family and their children. And because animals can produce offspring every year, each gift will be passed on, eventually helping an entire community along the path from poverty to self reliance. By giving this gift you will help your graduate step foot into the “real world” in the right way. Now that’s a gift worth giving!

p.s. Just plan on writing a card? Check out Hope for Women’s handmade tree-free, non-toxic, recycled India Card Collection, which contains cards that are beautiful, environmentally sustainable, and handmade by women artisans in India! You can’t go wrong! Even if we are a little bit biased…

Did you know that Vermont has the highest people to cow ratio than any other state (almost 2:1)? For me, this and my love for all dairy products are some of the many reasons why supporting businesses like Stonyfield that create dairy products from local farms like those in Vermont and New Hampshire is so important. Aside from the delicious taste, buying Stonyfield yogurt has always made me feel good as a consumer because of Stonyfield’s commitment to community outreach, environmental efforts, and quality products.

And even though yogurt and Hope for Women’s fairtrade handcrafted items may seem like completely different products, there are many ways in which they are similar. Like Stonyfield, at Hope for Women we are committed to creating quality products that our costumers can both enjoy and feel good about purchasing because they are made with environmentally sustainable materials through fair business practices, and support women and families who need the income to survive. In this way, both Hope for Women and Stonyfield products are geared towards the “conscious consumer” who care not only about what they purchase, but about the story behind their purchases. It seems natural, then, for Stonyfield and Hope for Women to forge a connection between their products.

Enter Stonyfield Rewards Program. Through this program, simply by eating yogurt and other Stonyfield products, you can get free Hope for Women handmade cards or tagua bracelets! Now, not only can eating Stonyfield Farm products support local farms (and their many Vermont cows) but it can also support women artisans in India who create beautiful tree-free (the paper is instead made from recycled cotton), non-toxic, and recycled pressed-flower cards and those in Colombia creating beautiful SimpliciTree tagua bracelets!

   
4-pack of India collection                    SimpliciTree tagua bracelet (amythest color)
handmade cards

To get involved, go to myStonyfield Rewards and create an account (it’s free and fast!). Once you have signed in, you can add points to your account by entering reward codes from the foil lids of Stonyfield Farm yogurt containers (or see the Stonyfield website for code locations on other products). Once you have enough points, you will be able to redeem them for items like Hope for Women’s 4-pack of handmade, Fair Trade Himalayan flower cards or SimpliciTree tagua tree bracelet! Thus, just by eating yogurt, you can help join the community of conscious consumers and support environmentally sustainable practices, fair trade, and women’s rights!

Seems like a pretty good deal to me! Free goods and community outreach all in one!

St. Michaels isn’t the only the college that has decided to go Fair Trade. This February Manhattan college received their Fair Trade status as well. The school has worked for 5 years to expand their commitment to being socially responsible and it was a great reward to finally be certified. Sienna College is the third college in the U.S to be considered a Fair Trade University. They serve their students Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, and sugar out of their dining establishments, college functions and in the department offices. The college also offers certified Fair Trade food and other handcrafts in the college store.

We applaud the colleges that have taken the steps to get become Fair Trade Universities and support the efforts of the colleges and universities that are trying to get there. Every step helps, and the more schools can educated students on the benefits of buying Fair Trade, the better! It is important to understand that this isn’t just a trend, providing fair wages, a safe working environment and rights to employees is something that should never go out of style.

There are so many salons that we have a great relationship with and that use our Hope For Women products year round to raise money for Earth Month and other campaigns that are close to their heart. Here are just two of the amazing salons that we truly enjoy working with.

J. Con Salon in Petersburg, Florida partners with Aveda each year to protect the Earth and its inhabitants on a global level to help those less fortunate to receive access to safe drinking water, but also regionally through the  Gulf Restoration Network. The funds have actually helped restore portions of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline!  J. Con Salon has chosen to partner with Hope For Women and sell our distinctive Portraits of El Salvador pressed flower “hair do” cards in their salon for Earth Month.

MCV Salon and Spa in Sun Prairie, WI is another Aveda Salon that has chosen a different approach to raising money for Earth Month by working with Hope For Women selling our Tagua bracelets and SimpliciTree Tagua jewelry. Just like our ReStyled bracelets, that many Aveda salons are selling, the Tagua accessories are made by artisan women using recycled material.

Here at Hope For Women we are  thankful to all of our loyal Aveda retailers who sell our products year round.  Their support is an important component to our ability to continue to provide vital employment opportunities to the women artisans we work with in Colombia, El Salvador and India.

Happy Earth Month!