I have been involved in the fair trade movement for almost twenty years. My first involvement was with the establishment of the Plowshare Peace Center, the umbrella organization for Plowshare Gifts in Waukesha. The Store, established in 1989 was one of the first of its kind in Wisconsin. This was at a time when few people knew about Fair Trade and the work of the Mennonite Central Committee, who essentially started the Fair Trade movement. Since that time, Plowshare Gifts has established itself as a model store with a unique shopping experience. The Board of Directors had a wonderful vision and worked together to fulfill that vision of creating peace through fair trade. As Executive Director as well as Store Manager, I was proud to be part of a committed group of people who believed in what they were doing and were willing to put their time and energy into making it the success it is today. As a result of that experience, I am able to educate the students that I teach at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee of the benefits of Fair Trade and the relationship it has to creating peace at all levels of society. 

Recently I was also the prime initiator of another fair trade store in Milwaukee. I worked for four years to create the interest and excitement for the store, obtain a space, raise the money and coordinate the construction and painting that was required to make the space fit the needs of the store. After leaving the organization because of differences in the vision, I helped my son-in-law, Allen Christian start a store in the Bayshore Mall for the 2006 Christmas holidays where did very well. When we were invited to move into the newly vacated space at 5205 W North Avenue, we decided to continue and expand on our vision in that location, which we both loved so well. 

My vision is an organization that integrates feminine intuitive thinking, principles and practices in conducting business.  We are involved in raising the consciousness of humanity through our support of the artisans, through education and through our cooperative spirit. Fair trade retail is a process of empowering women to know themselves and to act on their visions at the artisan level. It also enables customers to use their own consumer and political power to create a balanced approach to one another and the way we live in this world. This positive vision is a model unto itself. Our treatment of employees, vendors and customers is respectful and fair. It makes no one wrong and it isn’t against anyone or anything. It emphasizes and models a cooperative, respectful approach that can be replicated anywhere in the world if we are willing to act on our visions of how we know life on this planet can be. 

This vision has been living in me for some time, growing and changing as I learn more about this mission and about what people are seeking in order to live a committed life. It connects to the teaching I do at UWM and in the consulting that I do with schools and other organizations. 

If you are interested in joining in conversations about this vision, please contact me at the store at 5205 W North Avenue, Wednesday through Friday – 1-5pm, or call me at 414873- 3832.