During March, which is Women’s History Month, some jewelers and jewelry designers are raising funds through jewelry sales to benefit female-focused nonprofits and featuring programs that celebrate female empowerment.
JCK spoke with two woman owners of jewelry brands, Rachel Boston and Ysso’s Alexia Karides, to find out what they’re doing to celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8) through their work. Special activities are also planned by Rebel Nell, a woman-run jewelry company, and designer Stephanie Gottlieb.
Ysso and Alexandria Coe
In March and April, the Greek mother-daughter partnership behind Ysso is highlighting a collaboration with London-based artist Alexandria Coe to benefits the Schools Consent Project, a U.K. charity.
Ysso and Coe created a pair of gold huggie hoop earrings that feature line drawings celebrating the female form, a design Coe has championed through her art. Ysso will donate 20% of its proceeds from the earrings’ sales in March and April to the Schools Consent Project, which is run by legal professionals and provides sexual education workshops focusing on the topic of consent in secondary schools and youth groups.
“As a lawyer myself, the mission of the Schools Consent Project really spoke to me, as it emphasizes legal education as a means to empowering women through understanding their rights around consent and sexual assault,” Alexia Karides, founder of Ysso, tells JCK. “Alexandria’s work is very focused around the female form and freedom of expression of sexuality, and it made sense to both of us to work with this particular charity as it felt like a continuation of the same narrative.”
Rachel Boston
Throughout March, the British fine jeweler will donate 20% of sales of the brand’s engraved Memento ring to Women for Refugee Women. This female-led charity empowers refugee and asylum-seeking women in the United Kingdom.
Women for Refugee Women assists and supports refugee women in speaking out, becoming leaders, and advocating for change, Boston says. The network helps combat the isolation faced by women seeking asylum and creates pathways for women to rebuild their lives with dignity.
“They encourage the women they support to tell their own stories, through campaigns, art, media, and public events, to reach new audiences and policymakers, ultimately building public and political support for a fairer asylum process,” Boston tells JCK.
“We wanted to support this organization because it highlights the importance of women creating spaces for one another to be heard, to be supported, and to grow, helping women without disenfranchising them, and empowering them, which is especially important to us as a woman-led business,” Boston says.
Rebel Nell
Detroit-based jeweler Rebel Nell will host its third annual International Women’s Day event on March 7 with a female-forward speaking panel, a body positivity session, a self-empowerment mural activity, and a sound bath. The woman-owned business’ commitment to “embrace equality” will be celebrated by guest speakers at the event: film producer Jenny Feterovich, performer Lilith Von Tal, and salon owner Nefertiti Harris.
Stephanie Gottlieb
Also in honor of Women’s History Month, New York–based jewelry designer Stephanie Gottlieb is debuting the Diamonds Do Good bracelet. Stephanie Gottlieb will donate 100% of the profits from Diamonds Do Good bracelet purchases to the Flaviana Matata Foundation, which supports education and entrepreneurship training for young women in Tanzania.
Top: Jeweler Rachel Boston is donating 20% of the proceeds from the sale of her signature Memento ring to Women for Refugee Women in honor of International Women’s Day. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Boston)
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