Announcing the Finalists in Austin’s 5th Annual International Women’s Day Awards

Ten Thousand Villages celebrates women locally and globally with our 5th Annual International Women’s Day Awards on Friday, March 8th, 6-8pm at our fair trade store (1317 S. Congress). The Ceremony will be hosted by 2010 IWD honoree Sara Hickman, who will present awards to three finalists and a winner from each category. “Through actions and influence these women are distinguishing Austin as a city that’s leading in social change,” Store Manager Kitty Bird said. The Finalists are:

 Humanitarian

   • Leslie Beasley – Founder, Open Arms 

   • Kay Firth-Butterfield – Consortium for Street Children

   • Christy Pipkin – Executive Director, The Nobelity Project

Environmentalist
   • Paige Hill – Founder, Urban Patchwork Neighborhood Farms
   • Elisabeth Welsh – Program Director, Austin Youth River Watch
   • Sarah Young – Youth Director, Discover Green – YEL

Animal Advocate
   • Karen Cole – Founder, Lizzy’s Hospice
   • Liz Parker – Emancipet Board & Austin Pets Directory Publisher
   • Sheila Smith – President, Shadow Cats Rescue

Finalists were chosen by a judges panel comprised of previous IWD winners and leaders in Austin’s nonprofit community: Brandi Clark Burton, Founder of Austin EcoNetwork; Meg Goodman Erskine, Executive Director of Multicultural Refugee Coalition; and Abigail Smith, Chief Animal Services Officer for the City of Austin.

“The judges had incredibly tough decisions to make,” Kitty said. “At the same time, it’s inspiring to learn about so many amazing women in our community who are making meaningful social impacts. This event is about celebrating all of them.”

For five years, Ten Thousand Villages has been celebrating and honoring women at this time of year. One day isn’t enough, so Ten Thousand Villages celebrates International Women’s Day for a week with cultural events and benefit shopping nights that support other nonprofits, culminating in the IWD Awards Ceremony on March 8th.

All events are free:

Monday 3/4
5-9 pm: Out of Africa
See Nobelity Project’s Building Hope documentary, enjoy traditional African food, and get 10% off all fair trade products handmade in Africa. A portion of all purchases supports local nonprofit Well Aware, which brings clean drinking water to rural villages in Kenya.

Tuesday 3/5
10:30-11:30 am: FREE Yoga Class! Courtesy of Mimi Curry at beradiantbliss.com
5-9 pm: South Asian Bazaar: Mehndi, Mandalas & More
Sari wrapping, henna art, music, food and 10% off all fair trade products handmade in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. A portion of all purchases supports Austin-based Tender Heart Foundation, which helps bring education and socioeconomic development to rural communities in Northern India.

Wednesday 3/6
5-9 pm: Latin America Romance
Come hear Latin American music performed live and get a 10% discount on all fair trade products handmade in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile, Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, El Salvador, Honduras or Colombia.

Thursday 3/7
5-9 pm: 1st Thursday on South Congress
Ten Thousand Villages stays open late for this popular monthly block party that lets Austin fly its weird flag. This event is about as Austin as it gets — don’t miss it!

Friday 3/8
6-8 pm: 5th Annual International Women’s Day Awards – Hosted by Sara Hickman! This night is all about celebrating women who have made exceptional contributions in our community and who make a difference in the lives of those around them. Limited seating; RSVP required: Facebook or email.

It’s going to be a week about social change and powerful women. Hope you will come and celebrate with us — and share this news with your friends!

Give a meaningful gift this holiday season

The holidays are a time when many of us count our blessings, at Ten Thousand Villages of Austin, we certainly have much to be thankful for.  We have made many new friends in the community over the last year, through events like World Fair Trade Day and the Fair Trade Forum.  We have an outstanding and dedicated volunteer staff at the store, and we have amazing customers who shop with us time after time in an effort to help us spread our mission of fair trade.

Have some holiday shopping to do?  We have over 1,000 items under $25, all of which help to provide a living wage for families in over 30 developing countries around the world.  In addition, your purchases provide educational opportunities for our artisans and their children.  Every item, every artisan, has a story behind it that we’ll be happy to share with you!  So make Ten Thousand Villages of Austin your one-stop shop for the holidays, where the impact of your purchase will be felt around the world.

Tonight is our last First Thursday of 2008.  We’ll have our friends the LP’s in the store to play some music for you while you browse.  Have a cup of fresh-brewed fair trade coffee — we’ll keep the pot full for you ’til 10pm!

Have a beautiful holiday season! …Taylor

Ten Thousand Thanks to Austin Tidbits

There are few things I love more than summer in Austin.  I especially love to stroll down South Congress Avenue, taking in an evening of live music and enjoying the shops.  Tomorrow night, you can do both at our community benefit night to support VSA Arts of Texas! We will be open until 9pm raising funds for VSA.

Strolling down South Congress on First Thursdays is especially fun too! Check us out August 7th – we’ll be open until 10pm.

Thanks to Austin Tidbits for the shout-out in yesterday’s edition about our event!  Be sure to check out their site for plenty of other great Austin tidbits.

 

-taylor & kitty