It’s International Women’s Day!
There are a lot of celebratory days on the calendar. Some are legitimate holidays and others are totally made up (National Donut Day, anyone?). Truth be told, we love donuts, but advocating for women is at the core of our mission at Parker Clay. Since before we designed our very first bag, we have focused on providing opportunities for vulnerable women in Ethiopia so that they can experience equality and not only survive but thrive.
Because of you and the fact that you buy our bags, gift our bags, ‘gram our bags, and spread the love of all things Parker Clay, we are able to fulfill our mission.
As of 2019, we have over 130 employees in our factory in Ethiopia. 96 of those employees are women, and 33 of these women have been hired out of prostitution through our partnership with Ellilta Women at Risk, and we are just getting started. By the end of 2020, our goal is to hire over 100 more women, with the majority coming from the Ellilta Women at Risk program, fighting to bring even more women out of prostitution.
International Women’s Day is about celebrating women’s achievement and striving for equality. So on this day, we want to celebrate some of the women of Parker Clay. These women are not only making bags, but they are changing the world, and we are so excited to know them and support them as they work to elevate the community around them.
“I was born and raised in Addis Ababa. I love the unique culture and strong social bond in our community. As our Operations Manager, the economic and social impact that Parker Clay brings to my people gives me the courage and joy I need to do my job.”
- Seble, Operations Manager
“Changing lives never goes out of style. As the Inventory Manager in Ethiopia, Parker Clay's fast growing environment is what thrills and excites me. Our diverse culture and coffee are something to be cherished."
- Ekram, Inventory Manager
“Returning to my homeland of Ethiopia after almost three decades, I remember how being on the roads in Addis is a feast for all five senses; there is diversity on many levels. I love that the Parker Clay factory is a microcosm of this diversity."
- Beth, Director of Ethiopian Operations