The Fringe Revolution:
Women on the Edge of Change

On November 1, in Charleston, SC, where the first sparks of the Ibu Movement caught fire, a group of loyal donors and friends gathered to learn about the new Ibu Ten-Year Initiative. Hosted by Donna Moekel in the stunning Moorish-styled Farmers & Exchange Bank Building now under renovation, we felt there the energies of change and renewal reflecting our revitalized course at Ibu. 

But first, Ibu founder and CEO, Susan Hull Walker, shared the path of the Ibu Movement that has lead to the current moment. Watch the story of Ibu here. 

THE NEW IBU MOVEMENT

This summer, Ibu underwent a transformation to merge the marketplace social enterprise (formerly an LLC owned by Walker) and the Foundation, into one all-encompassing non-profit organization. 

With this merger, the Ibu team established four pillars to ground the movement. 

OUR FOUR PILLARS FOR CHANGE 

MARKETPLACE

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

 

 

 

CAPACITY BUILDING

Granting necessary resources such as updates to equipment, quality supplies, ​new and renovated workspaces, and training sessions strengthens the ​internal structure of women’s artisan groups.​ Watch more about capacity building grants here. 

 

 

 

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.​ Watch more about education here. 

 

ARTISAN ENGAGEMENT

Facilitating authentic relationships between artisans and Ibu ​allies–through interactive trips, speaking engagements and ​workshops, and design collaborations with artisan partners–build connection and respect. ​Watch more about artisan engagement opportunities here. 

​

 

  

UNVEILING THREE NEW MOVES IN THE MOVEMENT:

IBU AWARDED $400,000 GRANT FROM US STATE DEPARTMENT

The Ibu Movement has been awarded a $400,000 grant to promote and revive the rare cultural embroidery of Kandahar while improving Afghan women’s economic stability in the process. Learn more here. 

This was a direct result of Ibu's Global Champions event in March of this year, when Ibu artisan partner (and former Minister of Education for Afghanistan), Rangina Hamidi, spoke about her wild hope for the women of Kandahar Treasure in Afghanistan. Following her presentation, Ibu was alerted to a grant opportunity through the US State Department focusing on preserving cultural heritage and promoting women's empowerment in Afghanistan. Ibu's proposal was submitted, selected from among many, and begun in the course of six months. 

Rangina returned to Charleston on November 1, to announce the award and share the impact that the funds will make on the women of Afghanistan. 

Watch the video below to hear Rangina speak about the revolution rising through the women of Kandahar and beyond. 

BUDDING PARTNERSHIP WITH ASPEN INSTITUTE ARTISAN ALLIANCE

Ibu is in discussion with the Aspen Institute to build a bridge between their Artisan Alliance and Ibu's capacity-building efforts for global women artisans. Aspen Alliance Advisory Board members Jacquelyn Mayfield and Donna Greenfield attended the event, and Jacque spoke about the impressive work of Ibu that led the Alliance to pursue this collaboration. Listen here. 

THE FRINGE ROAD - IBU TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

The Ibu Movement thrives because of our connections with our artisan partners. Donors enjoy the opportunity to travel with Ibu around the world to meet and engage with the stunning women who are crafting new lives for themselves through the art of their hands. At the November 1 event, Ibu Global Ambassador Pat Mitchell, spoke about a recent Ibu trip to Kenya. 

 

WHY AN IBU TEN-YEAR INITIATIVE?

Next year, Ibu reaches our ten year mark. Looking forward, we want to double our impact, and to do so, are now lauching a Ten Year Initiative ~  

The Fringe Revolution:  Women on the Edge of Change.

 OUR GOAL​

• Double PHILANTHROPIC GIFTS​ (from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 in contributions in the next 18 months)

• ​Double the ARTISAN MARKETPLACE for women ​(offering goods through Ibu & beyond)​

• Double the number of ANNUAL IBU GRANTS ​distributed to strengthen cooperatives​

• ​Impact 200,000 WOMEN THROUGH RESPECTFUL LIVELIHOOD ​(exponentially, over 2 million lives impacted)

 

PUBLICALLY LAUNCHING ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

The Fringe Revolution will go public on March 8, 2023, with a fête in Charleston, SC. A Global Runway celebrating the best of our artisan partners; Global Cuisine, Global Ibu Travel auctioned, and a paddle raise to fund the Revolution. The presence of artisan leaders from around the world will be a gift to all.

F.S. Schumacher is our presenting sponsor, as we bring the world to Festival Hall, for a not-to-be-missed evening co-Chaired by ​Jamie Dewberry​, Amanda Flynn​, and Mimi van Wyck. 

We hope you'll not only come, but bring your friends. Purchase tickets here!

 

FOR THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD

Thank you for your presence - in spirit and in person - as together we witness the women of the world rising, and with them, our hope for this beautiful and broken world.