Happy International Women’s Day!
The theme for International Women’s Day March 8th, 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge
“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.
We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.”
There are three organizations that I have chosen to spotlight for International Women’s Day 2021. There are so many that are doing such great work so if you have one you support, please list it in the comments with the hashtag #ChooseToChallenge. Let’s all visit each website and find out more about how we can help empower women and how we can be empowered. #ChooseToChallenge
The first organization I’d like to highlight is “Women of Welcome” because it challenges me to think about one of the issues women and children face everyday at our border, poverty.
“Women of Welcome is run in partnership with World Relief, the relief and development arm of the National Association of Evangelicals. They do significant work around the world to come alongside families and communities that need assistance in strengthening their support systems so families won’t have to flee their homes, and we support their effort.
For the vast majority of immigrants, leaving their home and community is a decision full of grief and is incredibly hard.”
- Our mission at Women of Welcome is to follow Christ’s example of love, invitation and welcome, especially to those whom society has deemed unworthy and unacceptable. Jesus went looking for these forgotten and hidden people, intentionally bringing them back into relationship and community, for His glory. We seek to do the same.”
You can learn more here.
This organization was created by a mother-daughter team after learning about the atrocities women face around the world (and the U.S.). The lack of jobs for women forces mothers to give up their kids to orphanages, increase women’s risk of being trafficked, and keeps them in a cycle of poverty and social oppression.
“We’ve traveled the world to listen to these women, and this is one thing they taught us: THEY DON’T WANT CHARITY. THEY WANT AN OPPORTUNITY.
While our handbags and jewelry may seem frivolous at first glance, every purchase supports a woman leading her family out of poverty. She doesn’t need pity or charity. She’s proud to be providing for her kids and being the hero of her own story. So, no. Our accessories aren’t frivolous. They’re physical representations of women using their skills and rising around the world.”
Trades of Hope challenges me to consciously consider my purchases and what my dollar is supporting. Please click here to visit their shop. It’s filled with some wonderful items and you can even host a party to help support their mission.
The third organization is Heifer International. One facet of their mission to end poverty and hunger globally is by investing in women around the world through their “Women’s Empowerment and Social Captial” projects. “Investing in women is key to ending hunger and poverty. And it’s at the very center of our community development approach.” Please click here to learn more.
I would love to know of an organization that you support. Please go to my IG @mnccandleco and put a link to the organization in today's post comments.
XOXO,
Robyn