Empowering Women in India

five ACCESSORIES is partnering with MarketPlace of India to support fair trade co-ops in India make fair trade handbags from India. Please read about how we are helping to shape lives outside Mumbia, India.

'By building and running their own businesses, the women learn valuable skills and are able to earn a living to support their families. Additional programs support the women by offering education and enrichment opportunities. The aim is to empower these women to overcome personal, cultural and financial obstacles and achieve success. Empowered with independence and self-confidence, they can take active roles in shaping their own lives as well as their families and communities.

Their communities benefit, as well. Leadership-building initiatives and decision-making in the workplace have given the artisans the tools and confidence to become social activists. They have tackled such problems as lack of clean water, corrupt shopkeepers, insufficient garbage collection, poor health information and domestic violence. The business itself is a means to an end, a vehicle for social change. And women are excellent agents of change, reshaping lives and cultures, and ensuring that improvements live on through the next generation'

Reusable Shopping Bags

Eco friendly reusable grocery bags have seen their popularity surge in the past few years. They have a dramatically reduced environmental impact. So far this year over 370 billion disposable paper and plastic bags have been wasted and are piling up in landfills. Many countries across the globe are passing laws to tax or ban plastic bag usage and people are starting to act on the Earth's behalf. Together we can help save this planet with every bag we reuse. Seattle's bill for taxing plastic bags was just voted down, but it is just the beginning and a sign of change. Communities need to continue to strive towards a solution and be proactive about setting an example for others. Let’s work together to protect the earth, ocean, animals and our children by using reusable bags.

five ACCESSORIES has some great bags that can be used for resuable bags, if you wanted to double up the purpose of a new designer handbag.

Shopping for a Cause

five ACCESSORIES , a Chicago online store, is supporting Bridge to Success on Wednesday, September 30th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at The Metropolitan Club in Chicago, IL.

Bridge to Success, a social enterprise program of Heartland Human Care Services, provides coaching coupled with high-end interview and work place appropriate clothing for low-income, hard-to-employ men, women and youth to build self-confidence through appearance, interview preparation and a sense of "belonging" at the workplace. More info. can be found on their website at The Bridge to Success .

five will be showcasing their accessories wood bracelets to support the charity. Bracelets will be on sale from $15 to $10 each.