As we wrap up Women’s Month, we celebrate the incredible artisans of Women’s Peace Collection and journey to Bali, Indonesia in our blog. What started as a small jewelry workshop with just eight artisans has now grown to a thriving community of 30 skilled craftspeople. The artisans describe their cooperative as a family, built on respect, trust, and shared decision-making. Sue Fish has brought her lifelong dream to reality by leading a socially responsible, fair trade business with purpose and passion.
When did Women's Peace Collection begin, and what inspired you to get your start? How has it grown?
After graduating from college in the 1980s I traveled by myself for 6 months in Peru and Ecuador and was enthralled by the incredible artisan work handmade by indigenous women. I had never heard of fair trade back then, but always thought it would be amazing to sell their products in a western market. I ended up going to grad school instead and worked as a psychotherapist for 30+ years. I have also worked extensively with the immigrant community in my small town in Massachusetts. Fast forward to about 10 years ago when a series of serendipities led me to Women’s Peace Collection. I finally was able to fulfill a dream I’d had since I was in my 20s!
Women’s Peace Collection has grown significantly over the past 10 years. Our jewelry workshop in Bali began as a very small group of 8 artisans and we initially sold to only about a dozen stores. We now sell to retail shops all over the country and the group has grown to include about 30 artisans. We are verified members of the Fair Trade Federation which has helped enormously in building trust with businesses who want to partner with us and sell our jewelry.
What’s a typical daily schedule like for the artisans? What are the benefits of this fair trade work environment?
We partner with one small family-run cooperative in Bali. Balinese jewelry is extremely high quality and the traditional silversmithing techniques are often passed down from generation to generation. Our artisan partners work in a spacious workshop in Celuk, a small village famous for its sterling silver jewelry. Some of the artisans work there full time, while others work from home, particularly the women with small children.
The work hours are flexible and the artisans are paid per piece, so they can work when and as much as they choose. This enables the women to take care of their families and homes while still earning an excellent income. This flexibility is a huge advantage of working in a fair trade environment. There is also housing on site for those who need it. Most of the artisans live in the village nearby, but some travel as far as Java because they can’t find jobs where they live that pay as well.
The artisans describe the cooperative as being like a family, where everyone is respected and trusted, and decisions are made jointly instead of top down, like in a traditional work environment.
The theme for International Women's Day this year is “Accelerate Action.” At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to achieve full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum. How are women artisans supported to ensure that they feel truly equal to men? What do you think will speed up this process? We know that when women work, the impact of the investment is greatly multiplied!
It is well known that when women earn an income in developing countries their self-esteem improves, human trafficking decreases, girls receive higher levels of education, and more money is often saved and goes back into supporting the family. So it is extremely important for women globally to have access to well-paying jobs with flexible work schedules. This is where fair trade opportunities really shine and I believe that they are a key to accelerating action towards gender parity! Silversmithing in Bali used to be a male dominated trade, but many men would now rather work in the tourist industry, so more and more women are learning the craft. And as one Balinese male told me, “the women have more patience doing the intricate jewelry work.”
What advice would you give girls who are interested in getting involved in causes they’re passionate about?
If there’s something you want to do, GO FOR IT! It’s ok to be afraid, but don’t let anyone talk you out of it, tell you that you can’t do it, that you’re not good enough, strong enough, etc. Find your voice, take risks and don’t let anyone stop you! Do you have a story to share about a woman artisan that made a lasting impact on you? Two of the artisans (siblings) told me that before they started making jewelry they couldn’t even afford one new T-shirt a year, that they had nothing. They have been saving money from their earnings for a long time and now they own a house and are hoping to send their children to college!