Girl Power

Have you missed me?! I took a majorly long hiatus from writing (which I'm not happy to say) but I'm back and ready to write, think, share and write some more. The summer was filled with some great times and some sad ones, lots of outdoor fun, spending quality time with family and friends, and ended with me celebrating my 35th birthday. For those of you who don't know, I'm big on birthdays...and not just my own...my hubby, my kids, family, and friends. I think everyone deserves to be celebrated in a major way on the day that you came into this world. Greg hates that I do this, but every year on my birthday AND his, I think about who sent birthday wishes our way. With so many different forms of communication now, you can receive a message via Facebook, text message, email, or the good old fashioned phone call. Do you prefer one over the other? What makes you feel good? Or do you not care at all? I'm one for the old fashioned phone call, but that's me!

On that note, I purchased a birthday gift for myself that left me feeling like I made a small difference in someone else's life. While reading one of my favorite blogs, I came across an amazing organization/company called fashionABLE. Their mission is to "create sustainable business for Africans so they are not dependent upon charity, but instead earn the dignity of a job. We offer opportunity to everyone, with a primary focus on empowering women. When we invest in a woman, statistics demonstrate that she has a life-changing impact on her family and community...and herself." Truly, what cold be better than making a purchase that has this great of an impact on someone else's life?

These women in Ethiopia create beautiful scarves and leather goods (I purchased the clutch) that allow them to feel needed, important and productive in a community where they used to experience far less rewarding means of providing for their families. I was so taken by their stories, by this mission, that I had to be a small part of it. I investigated the website further to find there are ways to volunteer or work for this organization that could allow for much greater involvement in creating change. But for now, I'll use my clutch and be reminded of how grateful I am to be a woman who has choices, a woman who has a home and a family, a woman who feels empowered to have my voice be heard. I am also sharing it with you in hopes that you too will make a purchase or share this with a friend so that more opportunities are created for these courageous women in Africa who are dreaming big!