She leads the way! With Molly Stillman

As is our tradition every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month by sharing stories and interviews with women in the fair trade world. This blog series is in its fourth year!

Our first interview is with Molly Stillman, who we would describe as fair trade’s #1 cheerleader! She’s the face of Still Being Molly, an inspiring ethical fashion and lifestyle blog and the host of the Business with Purpose Podcast.

Promoting fair trade is just as important as creating the products, because without it, we wouldn’t be able to grow the movement. Read more about Molly’s journey, how she uses social media, and her inspiration.

1)  How did you learn about fair trade?

My first real introduction to fair trade was in July of 2011. I was on a mission trip to Kenya and on one of our last days in country, we toured a fair trade brand and factory called Kazuri, right outside of Nairobi. It was the first time that I’d ever really been exposed to anything “fair trade” that wasn’t coffee, tea, or chocolate. I was able to see firsthand what fair trade really looked like and the massive impact it had. The women employed at Kazuri were often ostracized from their communities for a variety of reasons—they might be HIV positive, be divorced, single mothers, or even have special needs. They were employed, given a living wage, education, access to medical care, and many of them even brought their children with them to work. It was incredible to see! When I came home from that trip, I dove headfirst into learning as much as I could about fair trade, ethical fashion, and what it looks like to really use my purchasing power as a consumer for good. 
Now, over 10 years later, I work with a lot of fair trade and ethical brands, I host a podcast called Business with Purpose where I sit down with a lot of the founders of purpose-filled companies and share their stories, I’ve keynoted at the Fair Trade Federation annual conference, and even collaborated with Elegantees and Malia Designs on designing clothing and bags. It’s been an incredible journey!

2) What attracted you to the fair trade movement?

At the root of a lot of the issues in our world today—whether it be human trafficking, labor trafficking, sex trafficking, child labor, child marriage, etc. etc. etc.—is, more often than not, a lack of access to sustainable economic opportunity. Yes, that might be a bit of a hasty generalization, but it’s true. If we are able to create jobs… and not just jobs, but careers, then we can change lives because a sustainable income has ripple effects. That’s the thing that ends generational poverty. I believe that every man, woman, and child on this earth was created in the image of God and as image-bearers, I want to see every single person have opportunity to thrive, not just survive. 

3) What are some of your favorite fair trade products and why?

This is an impossible question! BUT, if I had to choose, it would be my kantha jewelry from World Finds [sold at Fair Trade Winds]. Every time I wear them I get compliments!

4) We’re big fans of your Instagram account @stillbeingmolly (your reels are the best!) Tell us about why you started it and the goal behind the platform.

I started my Instagram account back when Instagram first started and everyone thought it was just a platform to add cool ’70s filters to your pictures. 🙂 Now, I realize what a community I’ve built and I’m so thankful! My goal is to bring joy to people through the content I create. There’s enough negativity in the world. There’s enough sadness in the world. People are inundated with the bad out there through the news… I want to be a light for people and be a place that they can come to just smile, laugh, or learn something.

5) Who are some of your favorite interviews from your Business with Purpose Podcast?

Also a really difficult question! I think some of my favorites would have to be Daniel Grothe, Liz Bohannon (Sseko Designs), or James Bartle (Outland Denim).

6) We love your commitment to being a change-maker through fair trade. What advice would you give to women and girls who are interested in getting involved in causes they are passionate about?

Start small! Don’t feel like you have to do everything overnight… find a way you can use your unique giftings to make an impact… Maybe you’re a connecter and can connect people to the issue you care about. Maybe you start a podcast and interview people around that topic. Maybe you go and volunteer. Maybe you offer your services to a particular organization. You just do what you can do and little by little your impact adds up!

7) What woman has had the biggest impact on your life? 

My mom, 100%. My mom was named Lynda Van Devanter (Buckley) and she served as an army nurse in the Vietnam War from 1969-1970. Her memoir, “Home Before Morning,” came out in 1983 and was the first first-person account of war from a woman’s perspective. She changed the face of women veterans and advocated for women in a way no one had before. She was a tireless advocate and fighter until the day she died. Her legacy lives on and I’m forever proud of her.