It Takes a Village: AAUW State College Partners with Ten Thousand Villages

By JENN MILLER
Special to the Gazette

STATE COLLEGE — Ten Thousand Villages is more than a store. Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is a pioneer of fair trade and dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by putting people and the planet first. What began with one woman committed to the concept of women helping women has evolved into a nonprofit organization that works with more than 20,000 artisans in more than 25 countries.

While Ten Thousand Villages has a global mission, as a local nonprofit it also prioritizes supporting its local community.

This November, Ten Thousand Villages is partnering with AAUW State College for a community shopping event on Nov. 18, 19 and 20. During this fundraiser, a portion of sales will go to AAUW State College to support its work advancing equity for women and girls.

AAUW has led the fight for fair pay and economic opportunity for women in the United States, working on the local, state and federal levels to advance laws and policies that enable women’s success.

Earlier this year, AAUW State College named Ten Thousand Villages its 2022 Gateway to Equity Award recipient, in recognition of the work that it does helping women around the world to achieve economic independence. Ten Thousand Villages builds long-term buying relationships — averaging 20 years — to support the sustainability of artisan businesses and impact families generationally. The organization focuses its efforts on marginalized communities, and more than 60% of the artisans it works with are women.

This business model not only guarantees a fair wage but also provides 50% payment up front as an interest-free advance to cover the cost of raw materials and production. Artisans are paid in full before their goods are exported; Ten Thousand Villages accepts the risk of lost or damaged products.

Fair trade helps to create a safety net for artisans and their communities. Many of the groups Ten Thousand Villages partners with have founded schools, daycares and health clinics. Some fund education sponsorship programs to ensure that local children can complete their schooling. In countries where free public education is nonexistent, many children — especially girls — never reach basic literacy.

Ten Thousand Villages carries handmade jewelry, bags and purses, home decor, kitchen linens and accessories as well as coffee, chocolate, tea, spices and much more. Shopping fair trade allows consumers to feel confident that their purchases help improve lives and protect the environment.

To support these efforts, visit Ten Thousand Villages at 1341 S. Atherton St., State College, on Nov. 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 20 from noon to 4 p.m.

Jenn Miller is director of outreach and education for Ten Thousand Villages State College.