Coastal Contenders East: Autonomie Project, Inc.

by Angela Longerbeam · 2010-07-09 04:11:00 -0700
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From coast to coast, regular Americans are fighting human trafficking in creative and exceptional ways. Each month, your East and West Coast correspondents give you the play-by-play as contenders from both coasts battle the returning nemesis, modern-day slavery. Join us ringside for our East Coast/West Coast matchup and help these contenders become anti-slavery champions!

Pound-for-Pound Analysis

In This Corner: Autonomie Project, Inc.

Hailing From: Boston, MA

Division: Fashion/Accessories and Retail

Reach: Promoting global sustainability through partnerships with fair trade apparel producers and independent cooperatives in developing countries

Matchup: Raven + Lily

Do you ever get frustrated trying to find ethical clothing and accessories that are also affordable? The founders of Autonomie Project, Inc. (API) did, too, so in 2007, they decided to take matters into their own hands and sell their own. Teaming up with fair trade brands like Ethletic and small cooperatives around the world, API brings you a seriously cool collection of handbags, footwear and apparel for both old and young.

One standout is the handbag collection by the Northern Creations co-op in Peru. This all-moms group tapped into their collective talents to crochet and knit handbags for their own fair trade company. Partnering with API as a distributor, the women are able to help support their families and feel empowered by their work.

Secondly, you must check out the kids' T-shirts. Produced by the fair trade brand, Little Green Radicals, these shirts are just fun. My personal fave is "I Recycle My Tantrums." As a mom of preschoolers, I happen to know two little someones for whom this shirt would be very fitting.

By no means lastly, API gives organizations a chance to shop fair trade with their custom labeling service. Any time your group needs printed T-shirts, hats, bags and even shoes, why not choose a company that employs fair-trade practices? Particularly for fundraising events that support anti-slavery efforts, the use of API products would provide a meaningful tie-in to the occasion.

Added bonuses in API's product line? Not only is everything sweatshop-free, but it is vegan and organic as well, representing the highest degree of social consciousness and responsibility. Shop online at API's site or through one of its affiliate's shops, which are both online and scattered across the U.S. and Canada. For a full store listing, see here.

Ready, set, shop ethically!

If you know of a contender in this division, please tell us about them in the comments below! If you know of a business, group, or individual fighting against trafficking and would like to see them profiled here, please e-mail us.

Photo credit: bfurnace

Angela Longerbeam is a freelance writer and pop culture addict fighting to end modern-day slavery with an MFA degree and irrepressible snark.
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