| Emerge! A Global Bazaar @ Princeton University
december 2009 |
Emerge! is an initiative aimed at increasing awareness and provoking action in international development, by forging a network of globally minded students, faculty, and initiatives.
Emerge also celebrates the rich arts and cultures of the developing world. We had a wonderful afternoon talking to students, faculty and community members.
|
 |
 |
| OneWorld project @ Tufts University
december 2009 |
OneWorld is a university wide student initiative to raise awareness and unite differing perspectives and approaches to addressing global poverty, fostering cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration and encourage action.
OneWorld sought to raise awareness about development solutions and promote student involvement in fighting global poverty.
"We wanted to capitalize on the potential for positive student action and create solutions to poverty, either through on-campus social justice initiatives or off-campus ones," Cohen,
the organizer, said. He explained that the theme for the bazaar was inspired by an article from New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof on the importance of empowering women in alleviating global poverty.
|
|
| zonta international of greater queens
november 2009 |
Zonta is a worldwide organization formed in 1919, dedicated to advancing the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. The Greater Queens chapter is particularly active in supporting women in the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Among the issues discussed was violence against women. Here is their message from the November meeting:
"The Zonta Club of Greater Queens proudly stands against gender violence in our advocacy & service actions, all year around!"
|
 |
|
| more magazine reinvention convention
october 2009 |
Inspiration: the key to reinvention. On October 5 at the MORE Magazine Reinvention Convention, over 500 women joined the editors of MORE, top experts and other fabulous women for a day full of fun, friends and inspiration. Original Women was there with CARE, celebrating the artistry and power of women from around the world.
We were fortunate to spend some time with Sheila C. Johnson, one of the speakers and an amazing businesswoman, philanthropist and CARE Ambassador. There is beautiful photo of Sheila, adorned in a Guatemala scarf and necklace from Original Women.
"If we're going to improve the lives of women around the world - and I believe we must - then we have to stretch beyond ourselves. We have to challenge ourselves and we have to challenge others.
That's what the 'I Am Powerful' movement is all about. I'm honored to be a part of it."
- Sheila C. Johnson
We couldn't have a more beautiful model to inspire us to reach further and higher. We raised 1.5x as much as we did last year to support CARE's work!
|
|
| summer celebration at the bubble lounge
july 2009 |
Our event at the Bubble Lounge was a spectacular success! We had a fantastic evening of elegance, surrounded by the musical stylings of acclaimed musician and producer Béco. His selection of songs only by original women set a relaxed and festive tone. From his beats, to Toyo Kahane's treats, to our toasts of South African sparkling wine, we enjoyed an evening of culture and charm. Thanks to all those who came and supported Original Women. We are happy for those who were able to bring some of our handcrafted creations home!
|
 |
|
| U.N. NGO Commission on the Status of Women
march 2009 |
 |
On March 5th we showcased our creations as part of the U.N. NGO Commission on the Status of Women annual meeting in New York City. That same evening we supported
our partner, CARE in a unique one- night, 450 theater country-wide screening of the amazing documentary, A Powerful Noise. The film follows three women
from different countries who overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to bring lasting solutions to their communities.
|
|
| partnering with CARE at the society of illustrators
december 2008 |
a festive evening of shopping featuring a new unique collection of hand crafted creations from more than 40 women artisans from 25 countries around the world.
The event included our hand woven silk shawls from Laos, hand crocheted alpaca scarves from Peru, sustainable wood and silver jewelry form Colombia and decorative boxes from Peru and India. And, as always,
10% of sales at the event were donated to CARE.
|
 |
|
| sale to benefit the integrative therapies program for children with cancer
november 2008 |
 |
Our unique collections of hand-crafted creations were displayed at the winter garden of Morgan-Stanley Children's Hospital. 10% of all sales at this wonderful benefit were donated to the Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer, which provides free services to all children with cancer and their families treated in the Division of Pediatric Oncology at Columbia University.
|
|
| partnering with CARE at the more magazine event
september 2008 |
Original Women and CARE continued the partnership established in 2007 at the 2nd annual More Magazine Reinvention Convention.
Over 200 women attended this inspiring event.
Original Women and CARE were there, giving tangible examples of the power of women changing their communities.
The beautiful products and wonderful artisan stories inspired many of the Reinventors to support CARE.
visit more magazine's reinvention page
|
 |
|
| celebration
may 2008 |
 |
The evening was a true celebration of original artistry. Our new collections, many created from recycled or eco-friendly materials, were a big hit. The recycled billboard bags, jewelry from Argentina, the US, Guatemala and South Africa, and textiles and felt rings from Kyrgyzstan were very popular. Our Kenana knitters' animals remain a favorite. Many Mothers will be thrilled with their Original Women gifts. |
view more photos > |
|
| holiday celebration
december 2007 |
The cold weather finally arrived and Original Women celebrated the holiday season with a warm and festive evening of shopping featuring our new, unique collections of hand crafted creations -- wearable, decorative and functional -- from more than 40 women artisans from 25 countries. Our new collection of hand woven and felted silk scarves from Kyrgyzstan were a huge hit. Beautiful beaded jewelry and contemporary recycled glass necklaces from Guatemala were scooped up. Whimsical ornaments and hip, colorful and contemporary handbags and totes from South Africa were also very popular. The river stone, silver and recycled paper jewelry from Germany was also very well received. One of our favorite designer friends told us were are ahead of the fashion trend. Stones will be big in 2008 and 2009! But then again, Original Women believes in the innovative, classic and enduring artistry of human nature.
Inspiration inspires inspiration. Original Women was interviewed by African TV. The program will be broadcast on Comcast and in Africa. Stay tuned for more details.
|
|
| alumnae seminar, stamford, ct,
october 2007 |
On October 17, a committee of alumnae from the original Seven Sister Colleges sponsored their 29th annual seminar. This year the topic was Women Empowering Women: Agents for Change Around the World. Original Women was invited to participate as a tangible example of social entrepreneurship.
The speakers were impressive, inspiring women, who are making great contributions to other women globally. They included Nancy Berry, a recognized and pioneering leader in microfinance; Isobel Coleman, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and director of the Women and Foreign Policy Program; Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, chair of Women's Campaign International, on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, a former groundbreaking Congresswoman and award winning television journalist; Gretchen Wallace, accomplished executive director and founder of Global Grassroots and Kay Maxwell, executive director of the World Affairs Forum.
We are proud to have participated in the event and the lively discussion which followed the panelists' presentations.
And we are inspired that women are doing so much to further the accomplishments of women around the world.
|
|
| society of illustrators
october 2007 |
Our Fall Celebration focused on the Artistry of Africa. Over 20 different women were represented from a continent where women's lives are often harsh. From traditional sisal baskets, recycled glass bead bracelets to ultra-contemporary telephone wire baskets in graphic designs, the innovative, resourceful, joyous and creative powers of African women were on display. Floxy Bee, a popular Nigerian singer entertained us with her special brand of Hikosso music.
The event was held in the historic home of the Society of Illustrators. For the first time, the exhibition, Cutting Edges: Cartoon Art Defining the World was on view. Seeing the artistry in the context of the cartoonists' perceptive commentary added yet another dimension to celebrating all the art and artistry on view.
|
|
| edric ong / museum of natural history
july 2007 |
Original Women partnered with the fun, educating and inspiring shops of the American Museum of Natural History to bring "Woven Dreams: Textiles and Music from Malaysian Borneo" to New York City.
Iban master weaver Nancy Ngali created a pua kumba cloth on a floor loom. This traditional ceremonial cloth is known as a "woven dream" because it is believed that the weaving goddess Kumang gives the design and pattern to the women weavers through dreams.
Our good friend, textile expert and author Edric Ong talked to visitors about sustaining the arts and crafts of traditional cultures in the modern world. Artist Michael Lim created palm frond grasshoppers for the many children. Mathew Ngau Jau, one of the most well known musicians from Borneo performed traditional, entrancing music.
Examples of the beautiful crafts and arts of Borneo were available for sale - these included the museum quality pua that master weavers like Nancy create, hand woven and naturally dyed silk and cotton scarves and shawls, baskets and hats from the women of the mountains and bark and hemp batik and paintings.
The three day event was very well attended. For the American Museum of Natural History visitors during the hot days of summer, it was a truly transporting experience to a very distant land.
And for those who couldn't make it to the Museum, Original Women will have a beautiful collection of the examples of these amazing hand-crafted creations at our next Holiday Celebration. (Visit our homepage for updates).
|
 |
|
a.i.r. gallery
june 2007
On June 6th, Original Women celebrated Spring with an evening of shopping and live world music at the AIR Gallery. Over 30 different artisans were represented, with unique hand-made creations ranging from sumptuous hand-woven silks from Thailand and India, silk and embroidered purses from Viet Nam, bath and body products from South Africa, beautiful cotton huipil and leather totes from Guatemala, jams from Armenia and silver jewelry from Jamaica.
|
 |
|
care gala
may 2007
CARE Gala honoring Melinda Gates with the International Humanitarian Award for Global Change
This spring as part of the Gala, Original Women partnered with CARE to create a beautiful and abundant marketplace of products created by women artisans from Africa, Central/South America, India and Southeast Asia. These inspiring products embody and exemplify the power and achievements of women artisans to help alleviate poverty and create permanent social change.
Original Women is proud to have Celebrated Melinda Gate's humanitarian achievements and contributed to the success of the Gala. We honor and support CARE's mission of empowering women and ending poverty.
(For remarks by Melinda French Gates at the Gala, click here)
|
 |
|
a.i.r. gallery
november 2006
On November 30th Original Women celebrated the season with a festive evening of shopping at A.I.R. Gallery.
The celebration featured a world of hand-crafted gifts created by extraordinary female artisans from 11 groups in Bolivia, Kenya, Colombia, Guatemala, India, South Africa and Zambia
The artistry included charming Jipi Japa insects, which are handwoven in a region of Bolivia that is historically used for growing coca, providing employment for hundreds of women at fair trade wages. Dramatic La Chamba Ceramics from Colombia which advance the time-honored craft heritage of the women of this region. And Kala Raksha embroidery, quilting and appliqué techniques which translate into income, education and healthcare for over 600 women in the Kutch region of India.
|
 |
|
kala raksha
september 2006
Kala Raksha Trust is a grassroots, nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to the preservation and rejuvenation of traditional arts of Kutch, India. Kala Raksha nurtures the creativity of artisans and teaches new tools in a design school specifically established for working traditional artisans. Kala Raksha founded and runs a locally based museum, preserving the cultural heritage and promoting its use as a resource for new designs.
There are now over 600 women artisans who participate in the program, earning income and receiving basic education and healthcare. Kala Raksha artisans apply their traditional embroidery, appliqué and quilting techniques with new insights and create vibrant and exciting products that have captured the imagination of textile lovers on all continents.
On September 26, Original Women CELEBRATED the artistry of Kala Raksha. Judy Frater, a founder of Kala Raksha made a very inspiring presentation about the new design school. Lachhuben, a founding artisan also attended.
Thanks to Judy, Lachhuben, Chuk Palu Gallery and all who attended, the event was fun, inspiring and beautiful -- A real celebration of the artistry of Kala Raksha.
|
 |
|
|
