In support of our organizing vision and focus, all vendors will represent goods produced by or sold on behalf of women in need.100% of the profit from our vendors returns to these same communities to support their well-being and livelihood.Only books written by our speakers or workshop leaders will be on sale in order for us to lend primary support to the sale of vendor items whose profit benefits the great need of women in disadvantaged countries and circumstances. (Offering the books written by our speakers and workshop leaders honors the generosity of so many of them who are willing to speak free of charge or at reduced fees).
Soul of Somanya – A small organization staffed entirely by volunteers who are working to develop sustainable employment opportunities in the field of bead work for working-age orphans and other young people in Ghana whose job prospects are limited by lack of family support and/or limited levels of education. Melody MacDuffee is the Executive Director and will supply the bead work to sell at WOMENSPEAK. www.soulofsomanya.net
Beyond Words – www.beyondwords.org.il is helping Arab, Jewish and Palestinian women work together creatively in order to become empowered and bring about change in the Middle East. The items they will sell at WOMENSPEAK include pottery, embroidered shawls, olive wood boxes, peace (dove) pins, and journals.
Tutwiler Quilters, Tutwiler, MS – www.tutwilerquilters.org Quilts, runners, wall hangings, bags, pot holders, placemats made by African-American women of the Mississippi Delta in order to support their families and preserve the quilt-making tradition of African American women.
Hands of Hope – Embroidered pillows, kitchen items, wall hangings made by women in both Honduras and Africa. Proceeds benefit their impoverished villages.
Project Fishes & Loaves – to benefit the children of the Mexican community of Rancho Nuevo. Jewelry and scarves designed by a friend of Red Bird Foundation will be donated to raise money to help this town where many children live in primitive conditions without running water.
