We’re constantly being bombarded with heavy media content about foreign affairs, politics, climate change, etc. If you’re anything like me, you wake up and instantly feel overwhelmed with the state of the world. However, we eventually pull ourselves out of bed, go on to brush our teeth and get ready for the day, but the urge to take action and the want to change the world for the better never quite goes away. It can be hard to think of ways in which we can make a difference, but I have great news for you: it can be through something as simple as a tote bag.
The Tote Project is a shop founded by Fay Grant and Michelle Chavez, who both have dedicated their lives to supporting victims of human trafficking, and who now do so through their business. The shop started in 2013 and has continued their success, even being featured in Forbes magazine. In a quote by Forbes, Grant talks about her vision for the brand’s future, saying “…we want to find a way to cover the entire cycle of empowerment, from the moment they are rescued to the moment they are emotionally and physically free.” Pretty admirable stuff, right? To date, they have donated over $50,000 to victims of trafficking and have no intentions of stopping anytime soon. However, Grant and Chavez’s impact extends far beyond their shop. They offer many resources and learning materials for those who wish to become more involved in supporting their cause, including a list of books about human trafficking and a list of documentaries for those who want to learn more. They’ve also linked the Polaris Project on their page, the home of the Resilience Fund and the operators of the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Women’s History Month offers us a chance to seek out the female heroes in our lives, as well as the opportunity to spotlight others’. When I say hero, I’m not just talking about the brave female heroines we read about in history books (although they’re pretty badass), I mean all the women who have contributed to our society. Fay Grant and Michelle Chavez are a beautiful example of what it means to take something you believe in, and fight for it while educating others along the way.
This article isn’t an advertisement, I’m not saying you need to buy a tote bag in order for your contribution to have made a difference, but if there is anything you take away from this article, let it be your ability to make a positive change even in the smallest of ways. There’s a quote I hear every once in a while that says “be the change you wish to see.” I’ve personally always thought it was a slightly cheesy saying, but as I grow older I realize that it is one of the truest things I’ve ever heard. Contrary to what you may have heard, you don’t need to be a billionaire in order to have a positive impact on the world. But, now you have an awesome woman-owned business to shop! And, if you feel up to it, buy a tote bag! I promise it’ll be worth your while.