As a woman, I like to empower myself by giving back to the community. And, I also love all things fashion. This Saturday, April 21, I get to indulge in my two favorite pastimes at the Passport for Purpose Marketplace at the Reelworks Studios in the NC Music Factory. The Charlotte-headquartered organization, Mothering Across Continents joins fellow Charlotte nonprofit Seeds of Hope and Dining for Women based in Greenville, SC to promote an event that will empower women artisans and benefit the Carolinas-based non-profits.
"This is a unique event for women who increasingly want to look good, feel good, and do good at the same time," says Patricia Shafer, chief catalyst, Mothering Across Continents.
The two-part event will begin at 11 a.m. with an early entry shopping event. It is open to the public, with special invitations extended to women-led and women-owned businesses and community groups. Tickets for the daytime shopping event are available online at PassportforPurpose.org. Proceeds from the $20 tickets will be shared between Mothering Across Continents, Seeds of Hope and Dining for Women.
The Passport for Purpose Marketplace will offer a special collection of quality, hand-crafted jewelry and accessories chosen from 10 global fair trade and socially responsible organizations. The featured pieces will include delicate silver necklaces and bracelets crafted in Ethiopia, one-of-a-kind silk scarves recycled from Indian saris, earrings of acai seeds gathered by communities near the Brazilian rainforest, and award-winning handbags sewn in remote Mayan Indian villages in Guatemala.
The marketplace event continues that evening at the Second Annual Charlotte Passport for Fashion event is presented by Charlotte Seen. The fashion show will also be open to the public, with tickets available at passportforfashion.com.