Francine LeFrak‘s Same Sky (bracelets made by HIV+ women in Rwanda), Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson‘s The FEED Foundation (FEED bags sold at Bergdorf Goodman), and Bobby, Elaine & Tess Sager‘s Hands Up Not Handouts (African jewelry initiative) came together last week to celebrate International Women’s Month with an Evening of Ethical Shopping and Cocktails. This was a fabulous fete held at Ana Tzarev Gallery. Amongst the guests included, Inside Edition’s Deborah Norville, Gossip Girls’s Kelly Rutherford, Actress Lynn Whitfield, TV news anchor Rita Cosby, and UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman. The evening consisted of delicious cocktails and hor’devores, good music, and non-stop shopping of some of the finest accessories. I was pleased to see that so many guests came out to support International Women’s Month and the charitable aspect of the evening.
Same Sky mission is to empower women worldwide and inspire a movement of women empowering women. The bracelets are made of handblown glass beads, each bracelet carries the signature of the woman who made it. The FEED Foundation mission is to raise awareness and funds to ensure nutritious school meals for all children as a first step to improving the global food system. Lastly, The Sager Foundation’s Hands Up Not Handouts partners with women of the world in the design, production and marketing of unique, one-of-a-kind goods using handicraft techniques. They’re committed to providing a tangible impact on the lives of the women they partner with.
By making a purchase from the three companies you are investing in the life of another, who throughly could use your support. We encourage you to visit handsupnothandouts.org, samesky.com, and thefeedfoundation.org to make a purchase or for more information.
***Founders from each company spoke to the audience during the shopping event. Here are a few highlights.
Kelly Rutherford
Deborah Norville
Rwandan Ambassador Eugene-Richard Gasana and founder of Same Sky Francine LeFrak
Photos: Amy Sussman/Getty and John Simon Daily
