The Fringe Revolution: Women on the Edge of Change

ME AS YOUR SISTER… SO I MIGHT SAY OUR VICTORY IS JUST BEGINNING. SEE ME AS CHANGE, SAY I AM MOVEMENT, THAT I AM THE YEAR, AND I AM THE ERA OF THE WOMEN.

AMANDA GORMAN, EXCERPTED FROM WON’T YOU BE MY SISTER , 2018

Photo by Tim McKulka

BILLION

IT’S

LARGEST

OF WOMEN IN STRUGGLING ECONOMIES.

WOMEN ALREADY CARRY THE CRAFT OF THEIR CULTURE IN THEIR HANDS. NOW, IN PARTNERSHIP, THEY ALSO CARRY THE POWER TO CRAFT A NEW WORLD.

WITH LIVELIHOOD, WOMEN

SELF-

IBU IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT PROVIDING THE MEANS AND THE MARKETPLACE FOR WOMEN TO RISE, THROUGH THE ART OF THEIR HANDS, INTO FINANCIAL SELFSUFFICIENCY . MOST COOPERATIVES STATE THAT WITH AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR THEIR PRODUCT, THEY COULD EXPAND THE NUMBER OF WOMEN EARNING A LIVING WAGE TENFOLD .

GOING INTO OUR TENTH YEAR, WE’RE COMBINING THE FORCES OF IBU’S EXTENSIVE MARKETPLACE AND THE CAPACITY BUILDING STRENGTH OF THE IBU FOUNDATION TO MULTIPLY THE IMPACT OF OUR MISSION, CREATING NEW AND POWERFUL TOOLS FOR MOVING WOMEN FORWARD.

TO IGNITE THIS WORK AND ACCELERATE OUR IMPACT, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE FRINGE REVOLUTION

WOMEN ON THE EDGE OF CHANGE

2014

IBU MARKETPLACE OPENED

I did not start the Ibu Movement because I wanted to help disadvantaged women. I started it because the women I know who have grown through adversity into a brilliant strength possess in their being the creativity, vision, and heart needed to mend this broken world. It is they, I believe, who will help the rest of us.

IBU FOUNDATION LAUNCHED

The Ibu Foundation’s work is gorgeously straightforward—we put resources directly into the talented hands of women artisans. We’re not empowering women; we’re amplifying their own amazing power of creating beauty and a more hopeful, beautiful future.

CAPITAL EXPANSION

Ibu stands ready to exponentially expand our reach to horizons never before imagined. Further leveraging the breadth of the Ibu Marketplace, the Ibu Movement will be able to grow a life-changing movement that will touch every region of the globe.

IBU: THE TEN-YEAR INITIATIVE

Every action of support by the Ibu customer has a direct impact on the women who create. It sends a message of solidarity to the artisan that their work is valued, their skill seen. It puts money in their pocket, and this builds confidence as well as independence.

— SUSAN HULL WALKER, FOUNDER AND CEO, IBU MOVEMENT

— STEPHANIE HUNT, FORMER BOARD PRESIDENT, IBU FOUNDATION

— AUSTIN R. WALKER, CHAIRMAN, IBU MOVEMENT

—KATHERINE NEUMANN, FOUNDER, HOUSE OF WANDERING SILK, ARTISAN PARTNER

YEARS

MARKETPLACE

Providing a marketplace for women’s artisanal goods is one of the most effective tools to elevate women out of poverty and into a position of sovereignty over their lives.

OUR TWO-FOLD MISSION: TO EXPAND MARKETS FOR GLOBAL WOMEN ARTISANS TO BUILD THEIR CAPACITY FOR SUCCESS THE FRINGE REVOLUTION WILL GROW OUR IMPACT THROUGH THESE FOUR STRATEGIES:

CAPACITY BUILDING

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Granting necessary resources such as updated equipment, quality supplies, new and renovated workspaces, and training sessions strengthens the internal structure of women’s artisan groups.

EDUCATION

Dismantling the perception that artisanal products handmade by a woman in the developing world should be cheap (whereas, by contrast, an artisanal item made by a man in Europe should be expensive) engenders deep appreciation for the often overlooked skills handed down by women for generations.

ARTISAN ENGAGEMENT

Facilitating authentic relationships between artisans and Ibu allies— through interactive trips, speaking engagements and workshops, and design collaborations with artisan partners—builds connection and respect.

INCOME

ARUSHI CHOWDHURY

KHANNA found that the celebrated weaving known as Himroo had completely fallen out of practice in its homeplace, Aurangabad, India, where once over 2,000 looms wove finery for royals. To combat the corrosive effects of industrialization, Arushi founded LoomKatha, and with the two remaining men who knew the technique, began to train young women to carry forward this cultural heritage. With funding from the Ibu Foundation for looms and training, the new enterprise has seen an increase in sales and skill.

EXPANSION

HASSANA YUSEF met a small group of women in Zaria City, Nigeria, whose handembroidery skills were excellent, however they struggled to find work in a maledominated craft. She established the Queen Amina Embroidery Cooperative so women could earn a full income for their work. A new workspace provided by the Ibu Foundation allowed the group to expand from 25 to 40 women. They see us earning more income, respect, and authority, shares Hassana, and many more wish to join.

RESPECT

SAMINA MAHMUD founded SheWorks for rural women in her home country, Pakistan— showcasing their exquisite embroidery skills and providing income where there is no other work. The Ibu Marketplace has served as an important outlet for SheWorks embroidered products, and the Ibu Foundation has provided capacitybuilding support, including funding for a new website. Samina tells Ibu, As sales and work have increased through website orders, the attitude of the women has changed greatly. They have become more professional and dedicated, and the quality of their work has improved beyond expectations.

LEADERSHIP

MERONI LERUSO , a Samburu woman in northern Kenya, lacked confidence to even think of speaking in front of a group. Yet, she is speaking now to a group of Ibu donors under an acacia tree, telling of her life-changing experience of joining BeadWORKS, receiving income for her craft, dependably feeding her family, sending all of her children to school, brokering a new relationship with her husband, and now running for public office in order to help other women find their voice. She speaks with power and clarity and self-respect. From something as small as a bead, Meroni has crafted a new life.

*

The Ibu Movement is a magical project which is changing lives all over the world. Ibu is all about heart. I love everything about it, and I am honored to be a part of it.

—ALI MacGRAW , IBU AMBASSADOR

Getting a foot on the ladder is all women need. Just the first rung. From there, I know, I believe, I have seen… the women of this world will rise as with wings.

—MAGALIE LAGUERRE-WILKINSON TELEVISION NEWS PRODUCER, IBU ADVOCATE