Mother's Day is only ten days away and what better way to celebrate Mom than with a gift that does good? We are pleased to feature the Somaly Mam Foundation and the amazing work that they are doing to empower survivors of slavery throughout the world. See how you can make a difference this Mother's Day and learn more about SMF:

The Somaly Mam Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the eradication of sex trafficking and the empowerment of its survivors as part of the solution. Founded by two 24-year old American men and Cambodian survivor and activist Somaly Mam, the foundation takes a multi-tiered approach to the issue by supporting victim services for rescue, recovery and reintegration, empowering survivors as advocates and activists, and mobilizing a passionate network of young professionals, students and supporters to say 'no more' to modern day slavery via grassroots campaigns and events.For Mother's Day, the girls in the center for the youngest rescues personalized 300 cards with drawings and poignant messages. They did this during a visit from a team of cyclists: SMF supporters who fundraised in advance of a 10-day cycle challenge through Cambodia's cities and countryside. When the team showed up at the Kampong Cham center, they brought packages of blank cards ready to be given a final touch by a survivors' creative hand.

As part of the recovery process for a woman who may have spent many of her developmental years in a brothel, residents of the centers learn to make silk beaded necklaces, woven bracelets and scarves: handicrafts that are then sold on SMF's online Empowerment Store. Part of recovery also offers choices when they formerly had none: a girl starts to learn independence and self worth when she realizes her choices - and life -is of value.

You can support these brave survivors by buying a gift or card (or both) for Mother's Day. 

I recently got introduced to Julie Sygiel. Together with her former classmate at Brown University, Eunice Png, she co-founded Sexy Period - Protective Underwear to prevent period leaks!

What underwear do you tend to wear during your period? Well, my $40 embroidered Victoria's Secret Panties definitely remain in the closet, that's for sure! But thanks to Julie and Eunice and their beautifully designed undies: they make rock outs in see-through white dresses and advanced yoga positions a confident option 365 days a year. The Sexy Period Girls spent two years designing the soft and breathable patent-pending fabric. It consists of 3 layers—2 absorbent layers (closest to your body) and 1 leak resistant layer (furthest from your body). The absorbent layers capture and wick liquid keeping you dry and comfortable, while the leak resistant layer traps spills and protects you from embarrassing period leaks. But Sexy Period Panties are not designed to stop major waterfalls, so always wear Sexy Period panties as a good looking period BACKUP! 

Interested in learning more? Check out their website and shop for Sexy Period Panties here!

At Holstee, one of our core values is to Pay-It-Forward and we do so by contributing 10% of all quarterly sales to Kiva to empower women around the globe thru micro-financing. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't one of my favorite posts to write.

I get the same chills as with my previous Kiva post and I experience the same ambiguous feelings because frankly, it's still a bit strange to be "working" (read: lending money to women in developing countries so they can build their business, support their families, and serve their community) in New York City in the year 2011 on my MacBook Pro so far and removed from the people we are directly affecting. And I'm sorry if this is coming off a bit too altruistic, but I'm merely trying to express the bizarre realities functioning here. 

The drive these women have to take action and control over their lives and well-being is awe-inspiring and their stories deserve to be told as they are the epitome of what the great human spirit can accomplish when opportunistic circumstances are presented. 

The purpose of life is not to be happy-but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all. ~Leo Rosten

We continually strive to live a more conscious life and to carry out more conscious business practices and to "walk the walk" here at Holstee. That is our collective contribution to the world. And that is why I love working here. 

The 24 amazing women..

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Lizbeth- Peru, Isabel- Peru, Angelique- Rwanda, Benita Angela Supo De Supo- Peru, Doris- Peru, Enarcita Bacordo- Philippines, Fiorela Juana Apaza Cuno- Peru, Engracia- Mexico, Gladys Karina Lopez Cruz- Peru, Juana- Chile, Julita Daniel- Philippines, Lilian Deloso- Philippines, Lilibeth Catingco- Philippines, Lorna Sarauz- Philippines, Maria Fernanda Aragundy Chica- Ecuador, Maria Marca Incacutipa- Peru, Maria Rosalina Naulaguari Zhinin- Ecuador, Maria Vicenta Pauta Duchi- Ecuador, Ma Eugenia- Mexico, Nadia- Rwanda, Nicolaza- Mexico, Reyna- Mexico, Nadezhda Kuznetsova- Ukraine, Eneria Tuastumban- Phillipines (not pictured)

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