Global Grandmother Power Grows

Paola Gianturco's book, GRANDMOTHER POWER -- A Global Phenomenon, is making waves! Enjoy and share these updates as word spreads about grandmothers around the world making a difference.

• Weaving grandmothers in rural Thailand work to protect their environment from a neighbouring gold mine: Grandmothers Defend the Earth.
• Read more from Paola's blog. 
• GRANDMOTHER POWER wins the "Multicultural Non-Fiction" category of the 2013 International Book Awards! 
• GRANDMOTHER POWER is a finalist in ForeWord Reviews' "Book of the Year Awards," which honor 2012's most distinguished books from independent publishers. Winners to be announced June 28, 2013.
• Read dozens of posts in the 2013 Grandmother Power Blogging Campaign -- TAMMACHAT's post from this blog joins the voices.

Grandmother Power in Rural Thailand

We're excited to see the Kokkabok Group featured in the 2012 book by Paola Gianturco, GRANDMOTHER POWER: A Global Phenomenon. Paola contacted us to help her contact this grandmothers' weaving group after reading the article below. We were happy to help facilitate her visit in 2010. TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles works with many artisan groups made up of amazing grandmothers -- working to sustain their traditions, cultures, families and communities.

5 Things You Can Do for Garment Workers

Just in time for World Fair Trade Day on May 11, 2013.
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By Alleson Kase, co-founder, TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles

1. Learn the difference between what you need and what you want.
   If we all bought fewer things, we would have bigger budgets for essentials.
2. Support local farmers, craftspeople and economies when and where possible.
   A sweater that was knit locally was not produced in a dangerous sweatshop.
3. Bring your reading glasses shopping, if necessary, so you can read labels.
   Develop an awareness of what's in products and where they're made. Look especially for certifications such as "union-made," "fair trade" or "organic."
4. Ask for fairly traded and ethically sourced items from the stores you frequent.
   Independent local retailers can be more responsive than mega-stores like Walmart. If you feel it's necessary to shop at chain stores, take time to write to their CEO to express your concerns for workers' rights and environmental protection.
5. As global consumers, we can also learn more about global labour trends.
   The World Fair Trade Organization spells out 10 principles of fair trade and web sites like cleanclothes.org feature news and links for consumer campaigns.

 

Thai weaver works at her loom on her own schedule