Today all across the world there are women celebrating this day!  In 1975 the United Nations set apart this day (March 8th) as International Women’s Day, although the very first one was celebrated nearly 100 years ago.  It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of women past, present and future who have made changes in their communities, whether it be economic, political or social achievements.

When we think of strong women in the world who have made great changes through unconditional sacrifice we think of women like Mother Theresa serving the poor and dying, Rosa Parks ensuring a better life for generations following her, Joan of Arc, as a 19 year old being unfaltering in her belief, or the myriad of amazing female writers whom we have read and learned from indirectly through their writings.

We also think of women around the world who are making better lives for themselves, their families and communities by overcoming obstacles of abuse, war and poverty.  We want to celebrate the women who we help to support internationally through the goods we sell.  Each of the products we sell are created by women who were looking for ways to provide for their families.  These women very easily could have given up and no one would have blamed them after all they had endured, whether it be because their company closed so they wouldn’t have to abide by labor laws, or brutal civil wars.  Instead, these women made a better choice.  They work hard for their families and produce amazing products.  They are resourceful, hardworking women, transforming their communities. They use their creativity and an amazing work ethic to provide a new hope for their families.

We hope you’ll take the opportunity to celebrate an amazing woman in your life that has made a difference in the community in which she lives.

We want to share with you a few quotes by some amazing women!

“We must not allow other people’s limited perceptions to define us” Virginia Satir

“I am prepared to sacrifice every so-called privilege I possess in order to have a few rights.” Inez Milholland

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” Mae Jemison

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank

“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” Mother Teresa