Spotted: Business Woman

I love seeing women being highlighted for positive things in media--especially in important roles. Whether that be a political figure, a sports player, teacher, or a CEO it catches my attention every time. I love it when I see a woman being highlighted who also has natural hair. It's more common today than it has been in the past to see locs, for example, in a mainstream magazine. Not only to see them, but to have it talked about in a positive manner. 

I spotted this photo while reading the October 2011 Issue of Elle magazine. The woman in the photo is Malika Saada Saar and she is wearing Bantu knots. Bantu knots are a great protective styles to wear! When you tire of the knots, undo them and wear a knot-out. Who said that natural hair and professionalism don't go together?! Not only is she wearing her hair she's making big changes in the world!




"Attorney; founder of The Rebecca Project for Human Rights, 40"

This was one photo, of many, that talked about women who, "dress by the book and those who never do what they're told." The women were asked their fashion secrets. Here's what Malika had to say:

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"As a human rights lawyer, I'm very mindful of dressing in a manner that conveys strength. I choose the black suit, of course! With heels. And my hair in Bantu knots -- or, as my daughter refers to them: 'mommy's swords and shields.'"

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If you visit Malika's website: The Rebecca Project for Human Rights you're greeted with a ton of information, success stories, ways her program is helping women internationally. Who is Rebecca? How was this program named? There's a touching explanation to these questions. Read the story H E R E !! 

Things The Rebecca Project Tackles:

• A woman who was a trafficking victim is now helping others by getting a website shut down
• Advocating for rights of incarcerated mother's. Ex: They're to be cuffed while giving birth, then are given a polaroid of their child
• Putting a spotlight on the sex trafficking of children in America
• Educating and empowering girls in Africa to be involved socially and politically
• Providing summer leadership and mentor programs for teenage girls to empower them into leadership

An issue The Rebecca Project helped with that many may remember is the Craigslist human trafficking issue. This is a serious issue that knowingly and unknowingly affects a huge amount of people worldwide. One of my first posts was on child labor, which is a form of trafficking. To check that out visit H E R E !!

Child Labor

Anyone who knows me knows that I love the kids. No matter how talkative, cooperative, old, or young, I love them!  I also have a huge passion in helping others who may or may not necessarily know how to help themselves.

I was scanning the headlines off CNN and came across an article about human trafficking. I've been following some of the stories for a while now. It's a huge issue that's touched every country and person either directly/indirectly. It doesn't always have to involve forced prostitution as commonly believed. Fishermen forced to work on a ship to catch fish for our dinner tables, kids working in cotton fields to pay off family debts, etc. are a couple examples.

Off of this article were some links to sites for more info on the subject and ways you can get involved.  One link talked about products that Americans use daily that have a big chance of being a product of child laborers. I was curious to know what these goods were and gold happened to be one item. This is what a child laborer had to say:


"If I have one wish, it's that I might someday have a little bit of money." says Saliou, a child worker in one of Mali's informal gold mines. "Sometimes I dream that one day I'll own something made of gold."

Http://productsofslavery.org

I couldn't move on from this. This statement really caught my attention. It really puts things into perspective when you read this, and to know it's coming from a child. I think gold is something that many of us take for granted. Their wish could be anything in the whole world, but it's for a little money, and for something gold! Just sit and think how many things you've owned that have even the tiniest amount of gold, or even how old you were when you received something made of gold. Kinda makes you stop, think, and reevaluate things a bit huh.