On random Fridays Smart Family Tips will feature an organization that is a “Do-Gooder”: a group that works to help both people and the environment. The Do-Gooders may be companies, nonprofits, or any organized group that focuses its efforts on making the world a better place.
Last week I republished a post I’d written about the importance of Fair Trade. Karen Snyder kindly left a comment letting me know about a movement I was unaware of, but am pleased about.
Several groups and individuals have gotten together to invite the First Lady, Michelle Obama, to make the White House a Fair Trade Home. Here’s the info from their website, www.fairtradewhitehouse.com:
Fair Trade the White House is a coalition of fair trade vendors and organizations that are inviting the First Lady to join the fair trade movement and make the White House a “Fair Trade Home.” The purpose of the outreach is to raise greater awareness of fair trade to the American consumer so each person will choose to “Join the Fair Party,” and integrate more fair trade purchases into their regular buying habits so that poverty is reduced in America and around the world.
WHO: We are a grass-roots, nonpartisan coalition of fair trade organizations, vendors, retailers, schools, individuals and consumers.
WHAT: We are cordially inviting the First Lady to join the fair trade movement and declare the White House a “Fair Trade Home.”
WHAT IS FAIR TRADE? Through fair trade, people producing a product are treated fairly, paid fairly, and are being fair to the environment.
WHY: Having the White House seek to purchase and use fair trade goods encourages households throughout America to refine their buying habits toward ethical consumption so that poverty, both in America and around the world, is reduced.
WHERE: We are seeking an endorsement by the First Lady to be celebrated through a vendor gift bag exchange which will be given to the First Lady and her staff by key voices in the fair trade movement.
WHEN: Our public invitation to the First Lady was unsealed May 29th, 2009. Throughout the year, we will seek online signatures from consumers and organizations to show the First Lady the momentum and support of the fair trade movement. We hope that the First Lady will accept our invitation, the goal is to conduct a ceremony in May 2010 in honor of “World Fair Trade Day.”
HISTORY: Anti-Body (anti-poverty, beautiful body), an all natural fair trade body-care company initiated this campaign in February 2009 to bring greater awareness of fair trade to the American consumer. A steering committee joined Anti-Body in June 2009 and is comprised of representatives from Alter Eco, Dr. Bronner’s, Equal Exchange, Fair For Life (IMO), Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade Resource Network, Green America, Handmade Expressions, L. Ishii & Associates, TransFair USA, and advocate Jacqueline DeCarlo.
If you believe in the value of fair trade, please visit the Fair Trade White House site and sign your name to the invitation.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Beth, thank you for highlighting the campaign and supporting fair trade!
I’m happy to do it, Karen. It’s a great idea!