GAIA Empowered Women Information

In the almost six years since founding GAIA, blogging just never made it very high on my priority list. However, if there ever was a business that needed a blog, it's GAIA! A blog is for sharing stories, and the "story" of GAIA is pretty important - it's why we're here, after all. GAIA Empowered Women was founded to create brighter futures for refugee women resettled in the United States. We exist to help refugees rebuild their lives in our community through dignified work - but not just any work - the meaningful, fulfilling kind that pays a living wage. We aim to pave a path to self-sufficiency and financial independence so refugee women and their families can flourish in their new home. Bottom line: We're helping refugees change their stories for the better. And what better way to do it, than through fashion?! Fashion is fun, uplifting, and transformative in so many ways. It can make you feel beautiful, confident, and the best version of yourself. But how much more meaningful does fashion become when you know the story of the person whose hands crafted it - and whose life was positively affected as a result of your purchase? These are the stories we aim to share. We'll also tell you about our design inspiration and process, collaborations, and other cool news. But the most important stories - the ones that will stay with you and warm your heart - are about the women we employ. We'll introduce you to Catherin, a Burmese refugee I began mentoring in 2009, whose remarkable spirit and gentle strength inspired me to create GAIA in the first place (we started with cloth napkins!). You'll meet Feza, who spent 15 years living in multiple refugee camps across Africa after fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.