First, I'd like to say a big THANK YOU for supporting Fair Trade, and for supporting me! In less than a month, I have over 100 followers on my Instagram (@fairtradewarrior), and I have had so many positive comments on all of the photos I have posted!
I created this blog to share some of my favorite Fair Trade items, outfits incorporating Fair Trade, wonderful vendors, and most of all, thoughts on Fair Trade, sustainability and fashion!
I'll start off with a little bit about myself.
My name is Catie. I am a rising senior at an alternative school called Middle College High School at Durham Tech. I love to sing, read lots and lots of books, and hangout with friends. I also love to work out, eat fro-yo and shop (Fair Trade of course!) I am an avid Fair Trade consumer, and PROUD of it! I am a marketing intern at Durham, NC's ONLY non-profit Fair Trade store, One World Market.
At OWM's "Go Bananas for Fair Trade" event
My host family, and two other delegates in Teotitlan de Valle, Mexico
Witness for Peace does amazing things to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in Latin America and the Caribbean by changing corrupt US policies and unjust corporate practices. With WFP, I learned about the harsh realities of NAFTA, and how it affects people on a day to day basis.
Before going to Nicaragua, I was already a supporter of Fair Trade and a volunteer at One World Market (OWM). Seeing people make Patagonias and Northfaces in 103 degree weather in a Nicaraguan sweatshop was completely heart-breaking. It really opened my eyes to the truths of where my clothes and products come from, and the sweat and even tears that are involved in the process. Although I'm still not quite sure how I wandered in to OWM and decided I wanted to be a volunteer, I sure am glad I did! After returning from Nicaragua, my passion for Fair Trade grew even stronger (and so did my Fair Trade jewelry collection!!!)
Over the past two years I have been volunteering at One World Market, and educating my friends and family about Fair Trade. This summer I took on the role of Marketing Intern. I have helped plan a "Go Bananas for Fair Trade" (more about that in a later post), take photos of products for our FB page, create a "Fair Trade Faves," shelf for volunteers, and more.
(Go like One World Market on FB to see my Fair Trade Faves!)
Some of you may be wondering where I came up with the name, "Fair Trade Warrior...."
It's strong, it's passionate, and most of all, it's ME.
However, unfortunately, I was not the one to coin the term!
One World Market's executive director and one of my fabulous friends, April, started to use the hashtag #fairtradewarrior on Instagram, and I fell in LOVE! I literally have probably 100 or more Fair Trade earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bags, etc, and post a LOT of my #ootd's (outfit of the days) on Instagram. I started to use the hashtag a lot, and then asked April if I could make it mine. Being the sweet person she is, she agreed, and here we are! I hope this blog will inspire you to make the conscious effort to shop Fair Trade whenever you can, and to stop by One World Market, if you are ever in Durham, NC!
xo,
Catie aka Fair Trade Warrior
Super awesome you're a fair trade marketing intern so young! i wish i'd have thought to get involved in things like that at that age, although fortunately i did tons of community volunteering. that's really great you were able to have your eyes opened firsthand to sweat shops and how much it's clearly impacted you. keep up the awesome work!
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