Women's Equality Day

Today marks the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the United States. August 26th, commemorates the passage of women’s suffrage in the U.S. and reminds us of the hurdles overcome by the heroic women who faced violence and discrimination to propel the women’s movement forward.

Today we celebrate all of the hardworking women — moms, grandmas, partners, sisters, and friends. Take a second today to thank the important women in your life, support women-owned companies, and register to vote.

In honor of Women's Equality Day, we would like to spotlight one of our partners that is continually striving for women's equality in the workplace. 

Shoo for Good proudly works with a collective in Ethiopia, headed by a woman-led management team, that creates respectful, ethical, and sustainable work opportunities for the artisans there, half of whom are women.

The collective produces our uniquely designed, handmade, cotton textiles using environmentally friendly dyes and a water filtration system to help minimize our environmental impact.

Core Values:

• Sustainability: The group supports and trains artisans to apply their ancient skills to modern, fresh designs. By providing the bridge between the artisan and the global market, it provides reliable income for families.
• Innovation: Weaving is an ancient craft in Ethiopia and while the artisans remain loyal to tradition, they adjust to contemporary needs and tastes of the world market.
• Caring for each other: Our products are made with care by people we care about. Through the collective, we help create positive work opportunities in Ethiopia, with an emphasis on employment for women. The collective is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization.

The people creating our scarves and wraps earn about 250% more than the industry average in Ethiopia, have permanent contracts, and receive regular salaries every month. They receive pensions, paid vacation, maternity leave, and medical coverage.

We believe that good and beautiful things can only be made under fair and just conditions by people who enjoy and take pride in their work. Working with this amazing team in Ethiopia checks all the boxes.

--Emily