GUEST POST FROM MY PERUVIAN TREASURES (used with permission)
By Luisa Tapia
I could spend an eternity talking about the women that have impacted my life and helped me become the woman I am today. Without a doubt, my mom and grandma have been the biggest influences in my life values and worldview. Their resilience and faith have inspired me to thrive during challenging times.
As a first-generation immigrant, I have no shortage of experiences living on my own in a foreign land. Seeing mom and grandma serving our community has inspired me on becoming a social entrepreneur and my desire to give back to our people.
As I reflect in the contributions of women like Rosa Parks, civil rights activist has done to our society. One thing that captivates me the most about women that left a footprint in history, is the fact that collective change always starts with one woman.
No matter who we are, what we do, or what is our life background. There is a time when we all are called to refuse to be silent.
Earlier today, I was reminded that if I am neutral in situations of injustice. Then, I have chosen the side of the oppressor.
REFUSING TO BE SILENT...
May look different to each of us. As diverse are our experiences, are the opportunities to speak up for change.
As a woman working in an industry that frequently ignores the rights of fiber farmers and garment workers, I refuse to be silent and I actively fight for their rights to earn fair wages and work in healthy conditions.
I refuse to be silent against an unethical Fast Fashion industry, that promotes false beauty standards and unconscious practices as consumers. An industry that for a very long time hasn't been transparent about who and how our clothing is made. And has avoided being accountable for the exploitation of our natural resources.
I speak up because of the women that have shown me a better way, by leading by example.
As March is Women's History Month, firstly I would like to honor the Health and Front Line Workers that have been risking their own lives since this pandemic started. I also would like to honor the Women in the military forces that have made sacrifices to protect us all.
And I celebrate all the contributions that brave women have made in the arts, music, sports, education, science, literature, business and economy, social activists, and every important aspect of our lives.
But most of all I honor the unknown heroes we called Moms, who are cradling the future leaders of the world; and making continuous sacrifices, for their families and communities.
#womenshistorymonth #ethicalfashionrepresentationmatters #slowfashionrevolutionaries
