Behind those $8.00 jeans...

Live on Purpose

Quote of the day: "We cannot do great things, only small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into it." -Mother Theresa

Second-hand-inista!

I've done it! I've mastered the art of second hand shopping, and just in time for my new job :). Here are some jewels from today's venture:

1. Sparrow Blue Cardigan. This is a brand carried by Anthropologie. This beauty cost me $16.00 and I don't care one bit. Justin asked if I was planning on composing a symphony in it. I told him I would be cute and preppy speech pathologizing in it. He didn't think I was funny.










2. Marc Jacob's skirt. $40.00 OK, I know, not exactly cheap for second-hand, but it IS a designer label, and it's a comfortable black skirt that is very easy to wear with different pieces. I think I'll get a lot of wear out of it.









Just in case you didn't believe it was Marc Jacobs. Notice the conveniently place finger over the size--a girl's gotta have a few secrets ;).











3. A cute dress-up, dress-down little ditty. It was $20.00, which is also not cheap, but also worth it to me. I plan on wearing it under a blazer for work and with shorts or jeans on the weekends.












4. $7. Gap. Basic. Top. I bet I wear this 50 times before I get rid of it.













5. This, THIS dress makes me feel pretty. It was $40. but it has that cool zipper thing on the back that has been so fashionable as of late. I'll be wearing this to an upcoming wedding. Supposedly a good brand, but I really am not used to buying high-end clothing so I wouldn't know. But look, cool zipper:
Sorry it is sideways.

6. Finally, this. It was $17.50. It is a simple sweater. But it certainly the first thing I have ever owned by Dolce & Gabbana. I also purchased a D & G khaki skirt, so now I have two things.











It may not look like much, but it is soft and luxurious. I also think it will look smashing with a couple long gold necklaces.

Freedom Sunday

"On March 13, 2011 people of faith will unite to set the captives free.
Visit the newly launched Freedom Sunday website to register your faith community, download Freedom Sunday resources, join with a community on the church locator map, and connect with other people of faith in the movement to end modern-day slavery."

Change.org news round up...

Join the fight for Fair Trade S'mores!--and more confessions..

Now that it is summer, one thing I miss most about home is sitting outside by a bonfire and eating s'mores. Nothing beats sitting out by a fire after a beautiful summer day and watching the flicker of orange, red, and blue against the black logs. I've always thought the ooey, gooey, sticky, deliciousness of the warm chocolate, crunchy and creamy marshmallow, and sweetness of the graham cracker wrapped up in a s'more is one of life's best simple pleasures. Knowing what I now know about the cocoa industry; however, s'mores no longer have the same comforting appeal as they once did. So, it made me very excited to see that there are people out there fighting for fair trade s'mores!

This site reminded me of a story I forgot to share. A couple months ago I was looking for an Easter present for my nieces. I was strolling along Michigan Ave, popped in the Hershey's store and naively asked the woman at the front counter if they had any fair trade chocolate. She looked shocked that I would ask such a question and nearly burst into a bout of laughter. I quickly ducked my tail between my legs and showed myself out. I never really thought more about this incident until I saw this website asking for support to petition Hershey to offer fair trade products.

Even though I didn't make a purchase that day, I have to confess: despite the fact that I have changed many habits to decrease my support of poor labor practices in terms of the clothes I wear, the food I eat remains tainted. Ugh, I suppose this is the next battle. I could sit here comfortably and pretend that now that I am a frequent second hand store shopper and all educated on what really happens I am doing "good enough," but we all know that is the most dangerous place to be. I know that I should continue avoiding chocolate and Coca-cola, but have remained stubborn and let these things slip back into my life here and there without much thought. I've even avoided posting some really terrible things about Coca-cola because that means I really have to give it up. So--here's to the next six months-- that they may be a continued challenge and learning process. That my heart and mind and stomach and skin may be at peace with what I eat and wear.

Hot off the Huffington...

Thanks to Jayme for sharing this story with me. 10 pictures with brief captions of real reasons why China is being forced to improve working conditions/pay for employees (raising minimum wage by 20%-- to a whopping $140 a month!). Sadly, it takes something like high rates of employee suicide to make a lasting impression. With names like Honda, Apple, Hyundai, this hits closer to home than you may initially think.

A new post!

...and worth it. It is unreal to think of the amount of products we consume and to think of all of the hands and feet involved. Even products like MP3 players may involve harsh working conditions as the minerals used in these products are mined like the ever familiar blood diamonds. It is easy to become overwhelmed by these problems and feel that there will never be any way to solve these labor and human rights issues. We may not win every battle yet, but students at Stanford just won a small victory (read about it here) relating to this issue. The amazing thing is not only will this university start using conflict-free minerals, they also have raised awareness and other universities are starting to inquire about how they too can go conflict-free. What a great example of what little steps to increase ethical consumerism can do to spread awareness and encourage activism.

Belated Mother's Day edition

You don't have to be a mom to take some of these simple steps...

Second-hand shopping..check!

So sorry to neglect the blog for the last few weeks, it has been quite busy around here. I had to post today because I just got back from my first ever second-hand shopping spree. Now, I have been to second-hand shops before and usually feel lucky to find one thing that ends up working out. Today, however, was different.

Let's back track a moment. With a new full time clinic placement, I am now required to wear dress casual attire everyday. This presented a problem as I have been a student for 6 years and have a closet that demonstrates that quite well. About a month ago I picked up a few things from Zara, thinking that would suffice. Well, that lasted about 2 weeks and suddenly I realized when you wear dress casual everyday, it is much more difficult to stretch the wardrobe.

Today I had a couple of extra hours on my hands and decided that meant I had time to try a second-hand shop. I chose Plato's Closet in Lincoln Park because I figured they would have a decent selection of current clothes, and did they! Now if any of you are considering trying your hand at second-hand (hehe), ample time is definitely needed. I probably tried on 30 different items of clothing. I ended up with 3 cute tops and 5, count them 5, "new" pairs of pants. They even had designer jeans (which I never can rationalize to pay full price for)! So now my closet is stocked and my heart is happy knowing the money I spent on the clothes didn't support a an unethical company.

So in sum, today was a second-hand success. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement to stay committed to this process. We can't win 'em all, but we might as celebrate the minor victories along the way :).

Confessions

It is that time of year when the weather is changing and everything in my closet is looking old, dingy, and boring because I've worn it all winter. I am getting the itch to go buy new, pretty, bright, springy things. Simply digging some clothes out of storage would be a simple solution, but that just doesn't sound nearly as fun.

So for now, I am practicing restraint, I am praying I don't sink back into old habits. I am fighting the little temptations that creep across my mind: I've earned it, I "need" it, everyone else does it, it isn't going to make any difference.

We are almost to month 4 of my so called commitment. There have been victories and defeats (sometimes I really just want a Coke!). Are wondering why I shouldn't be drinking coke? Stay tuned. I feel like the major battle right now is to not lose my dedication. Not to become discouraged or overwhelmed by the largeness of the problem, and continue doing the small part I can play, even if it is the teeniest, tiniest part. So this week that is my goal, not to give up.

Know More

After some researching, I found this site which allows you to view the profiles of popular brands that detail labor relations among other issues. It is a good place to stop by when considering a new purchase, or just to learn more about the brands you commonly use.

Principles for the ethical consumer

I found this website. It has great principles to abide by when trying to be an ethical consumer (including when fair trade isn't an option). You can also search through pretty much any brand of items you would find at a grocery store to find out if they have any major offenses.

Yoga to stop Traffick

I've always had a deep secret desire to lead a christian yoga class. My friends think this is weird. I think it could catch on. Yoga clears your mind and helps you relax. The Lord brings peace and hope. Most yoga classes are 1 hr, most of my prayers don't last near that long, but maybe with each pose I could think about praying for something/one different. Now you think I am crazy too. I'm ok with that. At least now you know why this caught my eye:

Yoga to stop traffick:
http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/on_march_13_yoga_will_stop_traffick

The "Ugly Truth"

A friend sent me this link to an article explaining a recent audit by Apple for its factories. The findings? Of the 102 audited factories, "54% had employees that worked more than the maximum allowed 60-hour weeks; 24% were paid less than minimum wage; 37% failed to meet anti-discrimination practices, and three facilities had employed a total of 11 people who were 15 when they started working" (Whittemore, 2010). Apple has stated they are now trying to employ practices to move toward better compliance.
The article also points out that in many factories (where all of our electronics are made), Apple was the first to perform such an audit; therefore, many companies do not even know how their products are being made or who is making them.
The article closes with this, something I couldn't agree more with or say any better:
"Still, the larger question has to center on what we expect of our manufacturing processes. Consumer demand for lower prices drives pressure for unscrupulous practices. A huge part of changing the world, then, has to mean voting with our dollars" (Whittemore, 2010).

The debate

This week my husband needed new basketball shoes. This sparked some deep debates as it is not exactly easy to find basketball shoes that are considered 'ethical'. After much research on his behalf he discovered two different reports, which pretty much reported opposite results. One report even listed Nike as on of the top companies in terms of transparency. I refused to believe this. After all, I have read so many reports indicating that Nike factories have been linked to human trafficking and unfair wages. So started the debate in which there was no right answer.
He showed me the report from 2006 that demonstrated that Nike now has a much better system in place for monitoring how employees are treated than many other companies. I just kept thinking..shouldn't they continue to be punished for what they've done. His thoughts--shouldn't they be rewarded for the changes they are trying to instill. Like I said, no real right answer..I hate those predicaments.
According to his report, GAP was in a similar position. They have a record of awful ethics, so to speak, in terms of labor and rights of their employees. According to this report; however, they not have a better system in place than ZARA, which I have posted about previously as having an outstanding code of ethics.
So, I still stand in this place of tension: not wanting to support these companies, but wondering if they should be rewarded for trying to change. In the end we came to an agreement that buying less is the best way to keep a clear conscious (and I think secretly my husband just will take any route to encourage me to buy less ;).
Here are the two reports that we have found that offer somewhat conflicting information: one from responsible shopper (not dated) one from ETAG's Transparency Report (2006). If anyone has any further insight to this dilemma, please comment and let me know.

Blood Diamonds

Received this in an e-mail from Human Rights Watch today...

Help Stop Zimbabwe’s Blood Diamonds >>

Few outsiders have penetrated the closely guarded diamond fields in Marange. But Human Rights Watch researchers repeatedly travelled to this area in eastern Zimbabwe and interviewed dozens of people. We documented the killing of more than 200 people by Zimbabwe's military, as well as torture and the use of forced labor, including children, in the diamond fields.

Who benefits from Zimbabwe's diamond wealth? Mostly members of the military, corporate officials in league with the government, and the men in President Robert Mugabe's inner circle. The revenue helps them hold onto power in the face of international sanctions.

The body that monitors the diamond trade, and is charged with shutting down trade in “blood diamonds,” is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. So far, it has failed to take action against Zimbabwe.

Tell Kimberley Process member states that they need to take action to end the smuggling of blood diamonds and stop the human rights abuses at the Marange diamond fields.

Photo: Groups of miners in the diamond fields in Marange in 2006. © 2006 Associated Press

A month and a half later

It was only a little over a month ago that I felt the need to delve deeper into how my clothes were being made--more how the people making my clothes were being treated. I set some goals and made this blog, knowing it would be a way to keep myself accountable. So here is my "check-in".

1. Buy less. "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."- Luke 12:15.

THIS IS HARD. There are so many lies I've tried to use to convince myself to buy things like "I deserve it," "It is on sale, so it doesn't really count," you know the type. These are all things that make us focus on ourselves and less on others. I heard a really good sermon last week talking about how we choose to live for the Lord or feed our earthly desires--the lust of our eyes. (1st John 2). I am amazed at how easily I sometimes want to settle for the lustful things I see with my eyes instead of the love in my heart.

2. Shop local thrift stores.
Here's the truth: the only progress I have made in this area is that I googled the thrift stores around our area. I still have yet to go look inside any. BUT since I am buying less, I haven't really stepped into that many stores in general.

3. Avoid the worst offenders.
Check- but since it's only been a month and a half, that isn't really saying much. Funny story, we had returns to make at Bergner's from before Christmas. I only had the gift receipts ( they were not gifts for us, but gifts we bought for other people and I somehow lost the real receipt). Anyway, after much pleading on my part for them to just give me my money, and their persitent refusal, I threw out, "but I don't want to buy clothes made in sweasthops!", somehow thinking that would solve all of the problems. The lady just stared at me and repeated her rambling about how the computer system wouldn't allow it..I think she was really saying,"Our computer system doesn't care what you think about sweatshops!"


4. Write a letter (or several).
I've sent a few e-mails, I hope they were actually read by the companies and not just deleted.


5. Support Fair Trade.
So many times I still want to justify buying the cheaper item. I did buy a delicious fair trade chocolate bar, and yes, fair trade does taste better ;). I am currently investigating some fair trade coffee options and have only purchased clothing from Zara.


6. Pray.
I've been praying- sometimes pray for safe conditions for these workers, but have mostly found myself praying against the greed of Americans that can feed the need for these kind of conditions. I pray against the injustices brought on these people by those who run the sweatshops--I pray that somehow God will be glorified through the ugliness that exists in sweatshops and human trafficking.

In sum, honestly there's been many days I've been tempted to just forget about it all. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by such a big problem and say "why bother?" It is easy to think, "What good are the little contributions I am making really doing? " But for now, I must continue fighting these urges. Because sometimes little changes can make a big difference. And after all, this isn't about ME. It's about those who don't get a say and don't have a choice and when I step back this kind of "sacrifice" isn't much of anything compared to what they have to endure.

Zara: setting the bar

Transparent. Humane. Local. A few months ago the new ZARA store opened downtown. I was excited because I had been to the store in New York- and during a bi-annual sale :). After my new-found desire not to purchase clothes made in sweatshop-like conditions, I knew I had to do some investigating. ZARA is owned by the company Inditex. With only a few clicks, I found this code of conduct. It is something worth reading through. They demand fair treatment of employees throughout their factories as well as by their suppliers. You can check out Zara's site here: http://zara.com


Internal Code of Conduct

Inditex does not employ anyone who is below the legal age.

No-one who is employed at Inditex is discriminated against because of their race, physical disability, religion, age, nationality or sex.

The employees of Inditex have their right recognised to associate or organise themselves or to bargain collectively.

At Inditex no form of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse is permitted.

The salary received by Inditex employees is in accordance with the function performed, always respecting the pacts of each sector.

Inditex guarantees that its employees perform their work in safe and healthy workplaces.


Business partners
Inditex makes sure that each and every one of its business partners fulfils the contents of the paragraphs of this Code on customers and employees.


Suppliers
The External Manufacturers and Workshops of Inditex are bound to comply with the contents of the employees and customers paragraphs of this Code. Likewise, they permit any monitoring by Inditex, or authorised third parties, to verify their compliance.


Customers
Inditex undertakes to offer to all its customers a standard of excellence in all its products; at the same time, it guarantees that its products do not entail a risk to their health or safety.

Society
Inditex undertakes to collaborate with the local, national and international communities in which it operates. To guarantee adequate introduction and subsequent mamagement of the Code of Conduct in the chain of production.



Inditex code of conduct for external manufacturers and suppliers

Introduction.
After the incorporation by Inditex of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) in 2005, Inditex undertook to incorporate its Base Code to the Code of Conduct for External Manufacturers and Workshops. For this purpose, the Board of Directors of Inditex modifi ed the above-mentioned Code in July 2007.

The regulatory framework on which the new Code is articulated is made up of:

* The agreements of the ILO.

* The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations.

* The Principles of the Global Compact of the United Nations.

* The Directives of the OECD for multinational companies.

* The Base Code of ETI.

* The locally applicable employment legislation.

* The local legislation in environmental matters and, in the absence thereof, the international legislation that is in force.

This new Code is expressed in eleven points:

No forced labour.
Inditex shall not allow any form of forced or involuntary labour in the production centres and/or facilities of its external manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors may not require their employees to make any kind of “deposits”, nor are they entitled to retain their identity papers.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall acknowledge the right of their employees to leave their employer after reasonable notice.


No child labour.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall not employ minors. Inditex defines minors as those persons under the age of 16.In the event that local legislation would provide a higher age limit, the company shall respect the local provision.

Persons under 18 shall not be employed in night shifts or in hazardous conditions pursuant to the definition thereof provided under Recommendation 190 of the International Labour Organization.

Where the existence of any form of child labour is detected in the production centres and/or facilities of external manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors, protocols designed for the suppression thereof must be applied, and educational programmes ensuring the suppression of any form of exclusion of minors until they attain the minimum labour age required must be developed.


No discrimination.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall not apply any type of discriminatory practice as regards the recruitment, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination of the employment agreement or retirement, based on race, caste, creed, nationality, religion, age, physical or mental disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation and/or union membership or political affiliation.


Respect for freedom of association and collective bargaining.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall ensure that their employees, without distinction, have the right of association, union membership and collective bargaining. No retaliation may arise from the exercise of such right and no remuneration or payment whatsoever may be offered to the employees in order to hinder the exercise of such right.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall adopt an open and collaborative attitude towards the activities of Trade Unions.

Workers´ representatives shall be protected from discrimination and shall be free to carry out their representative functions in their workplace.

Where the Rights to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining are restricted under Law, the appropriate channels to ensure a reasonable and independent exercise of such rights must be designed.


No harsh or inhumane treatment.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall treat their employees with dignity and respect. Under no circumstances shall physical punishment, sexual or racial harassment, verbal or power abuse or any other form of harassment or intimidation be permitted.


Safe and hygienic working conditions.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall provide a safe and healthy workplace to their employees, ensuring minimum conditions of light, ventilation, hygiene, fire prevention, safety measures, and access to a drinking water supply.

Workers shall have access to clean toilets facilities and drinking water. Where necessary, facilities for food storage shall be provided.


Accommodation, where provided, shall be clean and safe.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall take the required steps to prevent accidents and injuries to health of their workers, by minimizing as much as possible, the risks inherent to work.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall provide their workers with regular training in the matter of health and safety at work. The company shall keep an appropriate record of the training courses done.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall appoint a person in charge of health and safety within the Management, duly authorised and with the appropriate decision taking power.


Wages are paid.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall ensure that wages paid for a standard working week shall meet at least the minimum legal or collective bargain agreement, whichever is higher. In any event, wages should always be enough to meet at least the basic needs of workers and their families and any other which might be considered as reasonable additional needs.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall not proceed to any withholdings and/or deductions from wages for disciplinary purposes, nor for any reasons other than those provided in the applicable regulations, without the express authorisation of workers.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall provide all workers with: written and understandable information about their wages conditions upon their recruitment, and information about the particulars of their wages every time that these are paid.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall also ensure that wages and any other allowances or benefits are paid on time and rendered in full compliance with all applicable laws and specifically, that payments are made in the manner that best suits the workers.


Working hours are not excessive.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall adjust the length of the working day to the provisions of the applicable laws or of the collective bargain agreement for the sector in question, should this latter afford greater protection for the workers.

At no event shall external manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors require their employees to work, as a rule of thumb, in excess of 48 hours a week and workers shall be granted at least one day off for every 7 calendar day period on average.

Overtime shall be voluntary, shall not exceed 12 hours per week, shall not be demanded on a regular basis and shall always be compensated at a premium rate, pursuant to the provisions of the prevailing regulations in force.


Environmental awareness.
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall be duly committed at all times to protect the environment and shall comply, at least, with the standards and requirements of the applicable Local and International Laws and Regulations.


Regular employment
External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors undertake that all the employment formulas they use are part of the ordinary labour practice and the applicable local laws.

External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall not impair the rights of workers acknowledged under the labour and social security laws and regulations by using schemes of: subcontracting, homeworking, training and apprenticeship contracts or any other like formula which prevents promotion of regular employment in the framework or regular employment relationships.

Code implementation
* Subcontracting.- External manufacturers and suppliers shall not subcontract any work without the prior written authorisation of Inditex. External manufacturers and suppliers, which subcontract work for Inditex, shall be responsible for the subcontractors’ compliance with the Code. External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall apply the principles of the Code to any homewoker involved in their supply chain, and they shall give transparency to the locations and working conditions of said homeworkers.

* Management Systems.- External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall implement and maintain programmes to set in train this Code. External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall appoint a senior member of Management who shall be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Code. External manufacturers and suppliers and their subcontractors shall communicate the Code to all employees and to their contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, agents and homeworkers in any way involved in the Inditex Supply Chain.

* Supervision and Compliance.- External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall authorize Inditex and/or any third parties the former might appoint, to carry out inspections and audits in order to verify the appropriate enforcement of the Code. For these purposes, they shall provide the inspectors and/or auditors with the required means and the appropriate access to the facilities and documentation required to ensure this verification.

* Ethical Commitment.- External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall carry out their activities in a honest, upright and transparent way, keeping for these purposes an appropriate accounting records system, as a preventive measure versus any manner of corruption, bribe and extortion that might arise. External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall not offer, grant, request or accept any gifts or donations to/from Inditex buyers which might infringe the provisions of the “Internal Guidelines for the Responsible Practices of the Inditex Group Personnel”. External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall not manipulate or influence their workers, nor shall they forge any files or records in order to alter the verification process regarding compliance with this Code. External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors shall neither offer nor accept remuneration of any kind which in perception, or in effect, seeks to affect the impartial judgement or the objectivity of such parties appointed by Inditex to carry out inspections and compliance audits in connection with this Code.

* Health and Safety of products.- External manufacturers, suppliers and their subcontractors undertake to apply Inditex´s health and safety product standards in all manufacturing processes of raw materials, finished products, accessories and footwear that they provide to Inditex.

* Publication of the Code.- External manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors’ Management teams shall inform their employees about the contents of this Code. A copy of the same, translated into the local language shall be displayed in accessible locations for all workers.

* Reference to national legislation and collective agreements.- The provisions of this Code constitute only minimum standards. Should national regulations or any other applicable Law or any other commitments undertaken or applicable, including collective bargaining agreements, govern the same issue that provision which offers greater protection for workers shall apply.

Advocate Freedom in honor of MLK

According to the International Labor Rights Forum, "The US Department of State estimates that more than 109,000 children in Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry work under “the worst forms of child labor,” and that some 10,000 are victims of human trafficking or enslavement." Nestle, Hershey's and Mars/M&M's are all linked with using cocoa produced in the Cote D'Ivoire. Worse, these companies were made aware of their offenses in 2001 and since have broken several promises to fix this problem. Please send an e-mail to these companies through this website: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/chocolate .

Plan ahead for Valentine's Day and purchase fair trade chocolate products here: http://www.globalexchangestore.org/SearchResults.asp?Cat=38

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Monday, January 11th is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. In honor of this day, the following events have been scheduled. I hope to attend both events. If you are in the Chicago area, let me know if you'd like to join me.


Human Trafficking Awareness Day: On Monday, January 11th, at 7:00pm Traffick Free will host an awareness event in partnership with the Illinois Rescue and Restore Coalition. We will be screening the documentary, Cargo: Innocence Lost, followed by a panel discussion with Chicago's top anti-trafficking experts. For more details, see the attached flyer, and spread the word! More info here.

Fair Trade Wine and Chocolate Tasting: Come sip, taste, learn and shop with us at our Fair Trade Wine and Chocolate Tasting, with guest speaker Bonnie McIntyre of International Justice Mission. Mark your calendar for Thursday, January 14th from 7:30-9:30pm at Greenheart Shop (1911 W. Division).

*Sip* delectable fair trade wines supplied by local Chicago distributors.

*Taste* scrumptious fair trade chocolate donated by the Greenheart Shop.

*Learn* about human trafficking on the front lines from Bonnie McIntyre of International
Justice Mission in Cambodia.

*Shop* bags by Malia Designs and other fair trade, slavery free products at Greenheart Shop.

Malia Designs was formed to increase economic opportunity for women in developing countries, and to support local and international non-profit organizations that fight human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Their products are made by non-profit organizations that employ disadvantaged people in developing countries as well as small family producers.

Lia of Malia Designs will be at the event to introduce her products and discuss her business. For more information on Malia Designs, go to http://www.maliadesigns.com/index.php

The Greenheart Shop, which will provide the event space, is a non-profit, fair trade store in Chicago carrying items that are both sustainably and ethically produced. Greenheart offers a wide variety of goods including recycled accessories and handbags, home goods, gourmet treats, cookbooks, glassware, jewelry, toys, personal care, clothing and more!

Greenheart believes consumers have the power to affect positive World change by supporting sustainable and fair business practices in their purchasing choices. For more information about Green Shop, access http://www.greenheartshop.org/

Pay $5 for an advanced ticket (contact morganoel@gmail.com) or $10 at the door to enjoy an evening of discussion and impact with Traffick Free.

Sweatshops and Human Trafficking

This morning I came across proof of what I have feared all along: the connection between Human Trafficking and sweatshops. Last year I became more aware about the awful truths regarding Human Trafficking. Since my venture into digging deeper into the subject of sweatshops,etc. I got this nagging feeling that there was a link. This morning I found one as I was researching Kohl's on Responsible Shopper.
A few years ago a sweatshop in Daewoosa, a company in American Samoa, was found guilty of many horrific offenses including: women held as indentured servants, human trafficking, sexual harassment (factory bosses watched the women shower and dress), brutality (they show a picture of a pile of clothes that had to be trashed because they were stained with workers' blood), failure to pay wages, and the list goes on. It sickens me to tell you this sweatshop supplied clothing for J.C. Penny, Kohl's, Target, Walmart, Sears, and more. Vietnamese workers were 'recruited' by a Korean owned company to work in Somoa, an American territory, so the clothes could be labeled "Made in the USA." You can read more details and see some very sad pictures at these sites from CorpWatch and the National Labor Commission.
Unfortunately I have to believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. I have a feeling there are many connections between some of the corrupt owners of these sweatshops and human trafficking.
As I learn more, I will keep posting. In the mean time, here are some facts regarding Human Trafficking and forced labor:
"According to the United Nations Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, an estimated 20 million people were held in bonded slavery as of 1999.
• In 2004 there are more slaves than were seized from Africa during four centuries of trans-Atlantic slave trade. (Kevin Bales, Disposable People)
• In 1850 a slave in the Southern United States cost the equivalent of $40,000 today. According to Free the Slaves, a slave today costs an average of $90.
• Approximately two-thirds of today’s slaves are in South Asia. Human Rights Watch estimates that in India alone there are as many as 15 million children in bonded slavery."- International Justice Mission Fact Sheet

If you would like more information regarding Human Trafficking, please check out International Justice Mission's website. IJM has a very educational site and outlines direct ways you can help their cause. If you want to financially support any agency to help stop these tragic crimes, I recommend IJM. Also, Gary Haugen has written a book, "Just Courage" filled with stories about IJM workers going in and rescuing victims of human trafficking, forced labor, and child prostitution. For such a heavy subject, it is really an encouraging and enlightening book (and 33% of the proceeds go to IJM).

Next week there are a couple exciting events (Monday and Thursday evenings) regarding Human Trafficking awareness in Chicago, if you are interested in attending with me, send me an e-mail. For those of you not from the area, don't worry I will post a full report!

Bundle UP..sweat free :)

It is COLD! Like can't breath, can't feel my face cold! If you are in the market for a new layer (or 7), here are some valid options. These are a little pricier than you may find at your local department store, but they are good quality and should last for many years. Shout out to my friend Jayme for enlightening me about Patagonia- a sweat free company. There is a store about 5 blocks from our apartment, so why don't you all come by and we can go get warm together!
The scarves and black "cardigan" are fair trade pieces.

































(Each photo is linked to the site where you can purchase it).