Who are the women leading us towards a sustainable future? March 8th marks International Women’s Day (IWD)- a moment to reflect and honor the women and girls for their achievements. This year it feels like an appropriate moment to celebrate those who are pushing for a sustainable future for all. These women think outside the box to fight for garment workers rights and those from vulnerable communities. They choose recycled materials over single-use plastics and even collaborate with farmers to engage in regenerative farming practices. These women are moving our world towards a sustainable future within their communities and industries.
Over the last year The Wellness Feed staff has had the pleasure to interview a few of these amazing women. For International Women’s Day 2022, we’d like to acknowledge a few of these incredible women and share their stories with you. So, keep reading and click on their links to read more about their stories, their missions and how they are making the world more sustainable.
What Is International Women’s Day?
According to the website, IWD is a global day to celebrate the “social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.” The day is also a call to action to “accelerate gender parity”. It’s a time to celebrate, raise awareness about and lobby for women’s equality and support female-focused charities.
For 2022 the day focuses on breaking deliberate or conscious biases made towards women that have stunted our growth politically, socially and economically. You can learn more about this movement on the website for International Women’s Day 2022 to learn about the actions we can all take in our lives to break the bias or by following the hashtag #BreakTheBias on social media.
Stacy Anderson: Biodegradable Intimates
Stacy Anderson founded the organic intimates label KENT which focuses on natural basics that are can be returned to the earth and decompose within 90 days. “We worked with LA compost to put our briefs to the test, and they will disappear in only 90 days.” Read More…
Christy Dawn: Regenerative Cotton or Better Clothing
“We envision ourselves as land stewards first and clothing makers second.” Christy Dawn, a vintage-inspired sustainable brand, has spent the last two years collaborating with cotton farmers and artisans in India to practice sustainable and regenerative farming. It’s a style of farming that isn’t based on simply growing a crop like cotton for profit. It’s about growing a crop in a way that can increase biodiversity and water quality while capturing carbon and even nourishing the soil. Read More…
Michelle Feeney: Natural Fragrances & Compostable Packaging
When Floral Street founder, Michelle Feeney began her collection of fragrances and home scents, she wanted to create a brand that was better for customers and would influence the Beauty industry to be better too. “From the very beginning, I wanted to make Floral Street a beacon for change to stir and stimulate the fragrance industry,” Read More…
Brandy Hall: Sustainable Permaculture
Brandy Hall founded Shades of Green Permaculture in 2008. For more than a decade Brandy and her team have helped build and educate gardeners and companies about creating sustainable outdoor spaces. Located in the heart of Atlanta, Brandy protects biodiversity, crafts herbal medicine gardens and rebuilds healthy soil and water systems. In our chemical-driven society, Brandy believes in a holistic approach to preserving and celebrating nature. Read More…
Reshma Chabria: Biodegradable, Plant-Based Cleaners
Reshma Chabria is the founder of a NYC-based construction company and wasn’t able to find commercial grade cleaners that were safe for her clients. So, she decided to create her own line of eco cleaners. With the help of chemical engineers, Reshma was able to launch her cleaning products with transparent formulas that are all natural, biodegradable, and fragrance-free. That means that every ingredient is listed. Read More…
Shelly Xu: Fashion That Helps Climate Refugees
“The places that climate change impacts the most are where people are already vulnerable,” says SXD designer Shelly Xu. In cities like Boston and Philadelphia the impact from climate change is less noticeable. Yet, in countries like Bangladesh it’s estimated that by 2050 one in every seven people will become climate refugees. For reference, in the US it’s estimated that one in two people will “see a decline in the quality of their environment”. It’s facts like these that led Shelly to try to find a way to empower climate refugees by training and employing them as the artisans crafting SXD’s zero waste kimono-inspired jackets. Read More…
Read more about inspiring women in the sustainable/ eco space:
