How can you not feel good about buying moisturizer that does more good that just hydrating your hands? Because some women still feel guilty about buying self-care items. I know I do. It's that broken cookie syndrome. So it feels good to know that the money you spend is having a positive effect out in the world too.
Last year, I covered The Body Shop's first year out at working to stop sex trafficking of children and young people, with Susan Sarandon and foundations like Somaly Mam and Ecpat.
A year later, here's where it's at: Over 7 million people have signed the petition. The Body Shop was honored by the UN with the Business Leaders Award. They've raised $3 million dollars so far.
But that's a short-term goal. The Body Shop, since it's founding by Anita Roddick, has always been about effecting long-term social change. Through their efforts, 36 out of 50 countries have presented petitions to their governments and 14 have committed to making legislative change on the sex trafficking and slave trade front. On Sept 29, they are taking the petition to the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Switzerland.
This year, Tamara Mellon, co-founder of Jimmy Choo shoes, has designed a limited edition reusable cotton STOP Bag, with her handprint and those of other celebs who support the cause, to further awareness and fund this initiative.
I had just seen Tamara Mellon speak at the WIE symposium, confessing that despite her dazzling success, she still feels underestimated and that she hasn't done enough — after having just sold the company she built over 15 years for £550 million!
So, she's started the Jimmy Choo Foundation, but first she's here with this bag (which is very lightweight and has a convenient shoulder strap I might add), available in January 2012 for only $5.
I also spoke briefly with Alison Friedman of the U.S. State Department (Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons) involved with corporate engagement. She found it very gratifying to be involved with The Body Shop because they're so upfront and committed to this initiative. She was surprised, she said, at how difficult it was to get corporations involved, certainly to this extent. Do you find that surprising?
Slave to Fashion?
Here's something you may find surprising though. How many slaves you use. Today at 2 pm, on the 149th anniversary of the the Emancipation Proclamation, U.S. State Department Ambassador Luis CdeBaca of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons is announcing the launch of slaveryfootprint.org at the ClintonGlobal Initiative.
Just input your lifestyle data and you can determine how many slaves were used to put those clothes on your back, for instance. It's a scary proposition, but awareness is the first step. And then lending a hand, or a bag, to support its cease.
More fashion and beauty doing good:
Beauty On Purpose
Style & Substance: Women & Science
