HandCrafting Justice: trade for dignity

dignity image 1
Sr. Anne Kelley, RGS, sports a hand-woven sweater made by impoverished women in Ecuador.

HandCrafting Justice (HCJ) is an empowerment program that helps lift women and their families out of poverty.

HandCrafting Justice provides access to fair trade markets for unique, handmade goods created by enterprising women in the developing world working to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. By fostering self-reliance, ensuring fair wages, and building support networks, the organization promotes human dignity by empowering women to overcome social and economic injustice.

From toys and décor to jewelry and handbags, more than 1,000 high-quality products are designed and handmade by thousands of skilled artisans in safe, clean worksites located in 20 countries. Every purchase provides economic opportunities, supports personal development, and nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit to effect positive, long-lasting changes in the lives of hard-working women and their families.

HCJ and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd believe passionately in the dignity and unique value of each person, and seek to empower those who have been marginalized by society. Sisters of the Good Shepherd began HCJ as a ministry in October 1997 to develop a fair trade marketplace for handcrafted goods produced by impoverished women in low income communities around the world.

Sr. Donna Miles, RGS, enjoys bright toys made by women in Thailand.

Your HandCrafting Justice purchases

By buying unique, handmade goods created by enterprising women you purchase with the purpose of empowering women artisans.You promote human dignity by helping to empower women so they are able to overcome social and economic injustice. Your support provides economic opportunities, supports personal development, and nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit to effect positive, long-lasting changes in the lives of hard-working women.

Sr. Regina Do, RGS, wears an embroidered lace Paraguayan Nanduti belt and a necklace made in the Philippines from recycled magazine pages.

HandCrafting Justice is a project of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, an international religious congregation that ministers in 73 countries on five continents.

We believe passionately in the dignity and unique value of each person, and seek to empower those who have been marginalized by society. Every purchase you make has a direct impact on the lives of these artisans and their families.

HandCrafting Justice is headquartered in New York City and run as an independently managed nonprofit ministry. HandCrafting Justice has counterparts in the UK (Sharing Fair), Australia (Trading Circle), and other developed countries. HCJ represents both provinces of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the U.S. — the New York Province and Province of Mid-North America. HJC cooperates internationally through the Good Shepherd International Foundation.

Visit HandCrafting Justice. While you’re there, meet the talented women that create Fair Trade products to empower themselves and their families. Your support makes all the difference in the lives of these women.

HandCrafting Justice
Sr. Renee models an apron made by marginalized women in Thailand.

About Fair Trade

We know our iPads come from China, our raspberries from Chile, and our T-shirts from Bangladesh. And when we are honest with ourselves, we know that the people working to produce these products often are subjected to unjust wages and conditions. These injustices continue to exist because we don’t have the time or the resources to trace the supply chain for every purchase we make.

Fair Trade makes it easy. Buying Fair Trade products means that you can be sure that the individuals producing your goods are paid and treated fairly, instead of exploited. You’ll know that your new handbag is not the result of forced child labor, and that your child’s toy did not come from a factory that endangers its workers. Instead, by ensuring that people are paid fairly for their work, you are helping them send their children to school, afford medical care, and strengthen their communities.

Fair Trade empowers you to make an informed choice about your purchases and your role in the global economy. Every day, more consumers are choosing to buy Fair Trade, supporting dignity and justice for all people.

Learn more about Fair Trade.

HandCrafting Justice
In addition to providing safe, clean worksites and steady income streams, many of our 50 centers offer social services including education, childcare, nutritional information, and more. As a result, rather than being defeated, determined artisans take advantage of this practical and inspiring path to improve the lives of their families.

 

Jeanette McDermott

Jeanette McDermott

Jeanette is the Communications Coordinator for Sisters of the Good Shepherd Province of Mid-North America. She is a career photojournalist who has served in various capacities of print, broadcast, and corporate communications. Jeanette is devoted to creation and is particularly focused on saving pollinators and other wildlife species and their habitat. She is an ethical vegan and created the website veganstoryteller.com