#10FreeDays: Day 10 - Last Day of 10FreeDays

Today is the final day of the #10FreeDays campaign, and I wanted to share what has been accomplished so far, in just 9 days... 

First and foremost, thank you for joining me as we learned about the horror of human trafficking in Nepal and what Our Daughters International is doing to fight against it. We journeyed the Restoration Pathway that is followed by our daughters as they transform from victims of trafficking to leaders for the empowerment of women and societal change in Nepal. 

Enough funds have been raised so that over 420 girls will be rescued and restored due to the generous support received from over 1,350 friends and family during #10freedays. An additional 110 girls will be rescued by the Matching Gift grant provided by RB Nordick Foundation that was earned by exceeding the overall campaign goals. That is a total of 530 girls that will receive assistance and education through the safe home, training center, and educational programs at Our Daughters International - and there is still one more day left in the campaign.

I've been honored to share the Our Daughters International stories and mission on my blog, which you can read all 10 days here: https://whitneyfields.blogspot.com/search/label/%2310FreeDays

Today’s video has Ramesh providing a personal “thank you” from Kathmandu! Watch here: https://vimeo.com/405898432/3e14c4f498

 

Since 2009, Our Daughters International has counseled over 130,000 girls and women at the border between Nepal and India. Over 11,000 have been rescued.  Thank you for joining the fight by supporting me as an Activist for #10freedays. Together, we have given hope and purpose to hundreds of our daughters in Nepal. 

You can still join the fight and help rescue even more girls by clicking on the link below.

I am 70% of the way to my personal goal - with $90 to go! Seriously, every dollar matters. My goal is to hit the $300 mark, which rescues, restores, and educates one more woman... one more future business owner... one more future community leader... one more change-maker!

Please donate here today (campaign ends August 10): http://weblink.donorperfect.com/OurDaughtersInternational/10freedays2020/WhitneyFields

Thank you so much!

#10FreeDays: Day 9 - Elegantees... Making an Impact for Daughters

Over 1,300 donors have responded to rescuing and restoring daughters in Nepal. We have raised enough to rescue over 390 girls. There is one more day left in our #10freedays campaign! 

Welcome to Day 9 of #10freedays. It is fulfilling our purpose at it's best when someone uses the talents they have been blessed with for the benefit of others. Katie Martinez, the co-founder of #10freedays and owner of the online fashion brand, Elegantees, is a wonderful example of someone living with purpose! Sustainable income is a key component in the battle against trafficking in Nepal and Katie provides that to over 20 daughters at the Kingdom Hope Garment Factory.

Katie is donating the profits of Sunday's Elegantees sales to Our Daughters International. One of the wonderful things about her garments is that the products are sewn by our own rescued daughters in Nepal. Please browse her online store at elegantees.com. Enjoy shopping, and check out today's video which highlights the garment factory supported by Katie's business.

Amazing things can happen when like-minded, passionate people collaborate. Ramesh Sapkota, Our Daughters International President, and Katie Martinez, Founder of clothing company Elegantees and the 10freedays campaign, met in 2011. From there, they dreamed of working together to provide meaningful employment for girls rescued and restored from human trafficking in Nepal. That dream resulted in the launching of the Kingdom Hope Garment Factory which now employs over 20 daughters who manufacture the designs of Elegantees.

"I am very happy to work here because before I thought that I could not do anything for myself. I was completely wrong. Now I can live for myself and support my family" - daughter employed @ Kingdom Hope Garment Factory

Today, Ramesh will welcome you to Kingdom Hope Garment Factory via video (watch here: https://vimeo.com/405898061/aadfbb2d13). Plus, Katie has agreed to donate the profits of Sunday's Elegantees sales to Our Daughters International! Please click on this link, https://www.ourdaughtersinternational.org/elegantees, to learn more about Elegantees and to make your purchase to support Our Daughters International.

Thanks to those of you who have supported me in my fundraising efforts. For the rest of you, please consider giving today and contributing to my fundraising goal through this link: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/OurDaughtersInternational/10freedays2020/WhitneyFields

#10FreeDays: Day 7 - Daughters as Leaders for Change

It is amazing to see what a group of like-minded people can achieve when they work together, even during a pandemic!

Over 350 girls will be rescued from trafficking in Nepal! Almost 1,200 donors have supported 232 Activists to raise over $107,000 in just 6 days.

Now, we have set our sights on raising enough to rescue 450 girls by the close of #10freedays.

Welcome to Day 7 of #10freedays. Today, I am sharing how our daughters are educating women in their communities through anti-trafficking and gender-based violence workshops, and also empowering women by encouraging entrepreneurship development. Your efforts to help rescue more daughters are having a ripple effect in Nepal. The one rescued and restored daughter is changing the lives of hundreds of others for the better.

In today’s video, Indra will discuss how communities are transformed by our daughters, which you can watch here: https://vimeo.com/428523348/99aed294dc.

The restoration pathway followed by the trafficking victims in Nepal is so inspiring. To know that girls who had no future are now igniters for empowering thousands of girls and women in Nepal is amazing. Our daughters host anti-trafficking sessions, gender-based violence education and legal literacy training. They empower others in their community through entrepreneurship development training and the establishment of savings groups. Six of these groups have even gone on to start federally chartered banks! 

 

As a #10freedays Activist, I am asking you to join me in stopping human trafficking in Nepal through the transformation of communities by our rescued and restored daughters.

🤜🤛 Please join me in the fight against trafficking by contributing to my fundraising goal through this link (also easily accessible in my LinkTree) now through August 10: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/OurDaughtersInternational/10freedays2020/WhitneyFields

✨ As an alternative to donating, you can also shop for a cause 🛍️ through my Stella & Dot fundraising link through August 10: www.stelladot.com/ts/nk9rj - and for every $50 sold, I'll donate $5 of my commission to the cause! 💖

#10FreeDays: Day 4 - She is Now Our Daughter

Today is Day 4 of our #10freedays campaign. Here is an update on how we're doing after Day 3. As of 9:00 pm last night (8/3), we have raised just over $75,000 with the help of 204 activists!

That enough to rescue 250 girls from trafficking in Nepal!!

Day 4: How a survivor rescued at the border officially becomes "our daughter" in the safe home.

Trafficking survivors become our daughters! What a powerful image… one that motivated me to become an activist for #10freedays and Our Daughters International.

 

Survivors that cannot be reunited with their families, become “our daughters” and are welcomed into the Safe Home where they receive intense trauma counseling, health assessments, care, and love.  Most feel a sense of HOPE for the first time in their lives. As a daughter, they discover their identity and realize they are worthy. During their 2-3 month stay in the Safe Home, the daughters are given skills training as part of their therapy. 

Meet Kamika in today’s video: https://vimeo.com/405896415/0ebca7739b. Last year alone, Kamika and her team welcomed 95 daughters into the Safe Home. 

🤜🤛 Please join me in this fight against trafficking by contributing to my fundraising goal through this link: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/OurDaughtersInternational/10freedays2020/WhitneyFields

✨ As an alternative way to donate, you can also shop for a cause 🛍️ my Stella & Dot fundraising link: www.stelladot.com/ts/nk9rj - and for every $50 sold, I'll donate $5 of my commission to the cause! 💖

I have styled my favorite Elegantees' Hudson tee in olive/ivory stripes with a few of my favorite pieces from our current Stella & Dot and Keep collection! Elegantees partners with ODI to provide employment to women in the Kingdom Hope Garment Factory in Nepal.

Elegantees' HUDSON v-neck stripe tee in Olive/Ivory, Filigree Chandelier Earrings, Heritage Coin Pendant Necklace, Renegade Stacking Bracelet

Elegantees' HUDSON v-neck stripe tee in Olive/Ivory, Mini Coin Pendant Necklace, Namesake Short Charm Necklace with charms: Keep "W" Initial, Pearl and Keep Rounded April Birthstones, Delicate Long Link Charm Necklace

#10FreeDays: Day 3 - Victims are now Survivors

Together, our #10freedays Activist Team Has Raised Enough Funds To Rescue 200 Girls!

As we enter Day 3 of our #10freedays campaign, I want to celebrate that 178 Activists combined have raised $60,000 in just two days. Our efforts are literally going to change the trajectory of these young women's lives forever.

Our Daughters International rescues trafficking victims at the border between Nepal and India. Potential trafficking victims are interviewed and counseled regarding their purpose of going to India and the dangers of being trafficked. Since 2009, over 130,000 girls have been interviewed, with over 11,000 actually rescued from trafficking. These victims have now become survivors! 

For over 8 years, Usha has been working at one of the border stations. She has rescued hundreds of girls. 

Meet her in today’s video:

Last year alone, over 20,000 girls were interviewed and 1,035 were rescued. I want to help rescue more and that’s why I joined #10freedays as an Activist. You can help victims become survivors by donating today.

🤜🤛 Please join me in this fight against trafficking by donating toward my fundraising goal through this link: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/OurDaughtersInternational/10freedays2020/WhitneyFields

✨ As an alternative way to donate, you can also shop for a cause 🛍️ my Stella & Dot fundraising link: www.stelladot.com/ts/nk9rj - and for every $50 sold, I'll donate $5 of my commission to the cause! 💖

I have styled my favorite Elegantees (the clothing company that partners with ODI to provide employment to women in the  Kingdom Hope Garment Factory in Nepal) tops with a few of my favorite pieces from our current Stella & Dot and Keep collection!

Elegantees' SITA twist front tee in Black, Delicate Pave Heart Studs, Diamond Covet "W" Necklace, Mini Coin Pendant Necklace, Heritage Coin Pendant Necklace, Renegade Stacking Bracelet

Elegantees' HUDSON v-neck stripe tee in Black/Ivory, Target shoes, Filigree Chandelier Earrings, Leopard Print Crossbody, Renegade Stacking Bracelet, Diamond Covet "W" Necklace, Delicate Long Link Charm Necklace, Namesake Short Charm Necklace with charms: Keep "W" Initial, Pearl and Keep Rounded April Birthstones

#10FreeDays: Day 2 - She is a Victim

Before moving on to Day 2 of our #10freedays campaign, let's celebrate how Day 1 went. Almost $49,000 has been raised... ENOUGH TO RESCUE 163 GIRLS THROUGH DAY 1! 

Incredible work. Thank you to all the donors so far. We still have more work to do. 🙏🏻 

Day 2: Today, we will look at why a young woman is at risk of becoming a victim of trafficking in Nepal, and how easy it is for predators to trick them into unimaginable horrors. Thankfully, there are men and women like YOU that are here to expose these lies and to set the record straight.  

An estimated 25,000 to 35,000 girls are trafficked from Nepal to India and beyond each year. Girls are tricked and persuaded by the promises of traffickers who build false relationships with them. They are promised a better life in a faraway land only to end up in a brothel in India or in the Middle East. Once in a brothel, victims can be sold to men up to 30 times per day. 

In today’s video, Allison will share why girls in Nepal are susceptible to the trafficker’s lies. 

🤜🤛 Please join me in this fight against trafficking by helping me meet my fundraising goal through this link (also easily accessible in my LinkTree): http://weblink.donorperfect.com/OurDaughtersInternational/10freedays2020/WhitneyFields 

✨ As an alternative way to donate, you can also shop 🛍️ my Stella & Dot fundraising link: www.stelladot.com/ts/nk9rj - and for every $50 sold, I'll donate $5 of my commission to the cause! 💖 (It just exceeded its first $50 increment!)

Wearing Elegantees' Hudson Tee,  Target shoes, Accessories (available in my e-boutique, through the online fundraiser): Diamond Covet "W" Necklace, Leopard Print Crossbody, Renegade Stacking Bracelet, Delicate Long Link Charm Necklace, Namesake Short Charm Necklace with charms: Keep "W" Initial, Pearl and Keep Rounded April Birthstones

#10FreeDays: Day 1 - Combatting Trafficking in Nepal

Today launches the first of 10 days (#10FreeDays) where together, hundreds of activists will raise awareness and advocate for the freedom of trafficking victims in Nepal.

I have joined the fight to combat human trafficking in Nepal by becoming an Activist for #10freedays, an awareness and fundraising campaign to support Our Daughters International. 

For the next 10 days, I will be sharing information about trafficking in Nepal and how Our Daughters International is transforming victims into leaders for change in their community. 🧍🏻‍♀️🧍🏽‍♀️🧍🏾‍♀️🧍🏿‍♀️🧍🏼‍♀️🧍‍♀️

 

Each day, you will have the opportunity to hear from a team member in Nepal as they share why trafficking happens and how girls are being provided hope and purpose as they journey along the pathway to restoration. 

Today, hear from Ramesh Sapkota, Our Daughters International Founder and President.

 

Please consider making a small donation to help me meet my $300.00 fundraising goal! 💁🏻‍♀️   This organization is important to me, as a female business owner, because they rescue and restore women for employment or to become business owners and educate them to become leaders within their communities.

🤜🤛 Please join me in this fight against trafficking by helping me meet my fundraising goal through this link:http://weblink.donorperfect.com/OurDaughtersInternational/10freedays2020/WhitneyFields

✨ As an alternative way to donate, you can also shop my Stella & Dot fundraising link: www.stelladot.com/ts/nk9rj - and for every $50 sold, I'll donate $5 of my commission to the cause! 💖

Join me in the global fight against sex and human trafficking!

Celebrating the 1-Year Anniversary of Polka Dot Powerhouse - Austin

As we quickly approach the Polka Dot Powerhouse - 1 Year Anniversary Party to celebrate our first year as a chapter in Austin (and currently the only chapter in Texas), I was inspired by a Facebook post from fellow Managing Director Elaine Turso, who shared many sentiments about this incredible group of women! I'm paraphrasing much of a post she shared last month, but she said it so nicely, I didn't want to change it up too much! ;)

Do you know what question I hear the most when I see many of my Facebook friends in real life? "What is this Polka Dot Powerhouse thing you're doing?"

Here's the best way I can describe it: I have the privilege of meeting up with unique, smart and driven women (mostly business owners of some sort) several times a month in-person and online (or over the phone).

I have the opportunity to connect with them one-on-one because that is where the real magic happens. Getting to know women and their families, along with their background and their business/profession is so amazing. Then I try to collaborate with them or connect them with other women (and men) in the community or in my personal network who could help them grow or utilize their business/service. As the Managing Director, I just provide the space and facilitate the meetups each month!

Are we a networking group? Kind of but not really. We are a CONNECTION company.

"Networking" can sometimes be a scary word for people - and, based on their experiences, can sometimes come with a negative connotation. This group of women has shown me the importance of connection before business.

People aren't interested in what you do until you are interested in them as a person. Polka Dot Powerhouse has shown me what it means to connect with other women without anything in return.  As a result, we all receive! We all want to help or support each other, refer and do business with those we trust and have built relationships and friendships with, and ultimately, find a tribe that empowers us.

These women, not only in Austin but also all over the country, have helped me become a better friend, businesswoman, connector, and human because of the relationships we've formed. We are a sisterhood. A tribe. We celebrate together. We support each other through the good times and the bad. We hang out and have fun together. We help each other learn, grow, be accountable and do our best.

Do you need more support in your life?

We are looking to grow this organization of warm, welcoming, positive, no-drama women throughout Austin and the nation. We are looking for other women to help facilitate a meeting place in other cities in Texas (and across the country). Who do you know? Maybe this is you?

What other questions do you have? I'm an open book! Please feel free to ask me in the comments below.

And friends, Dots, guests, anyone interested in meeting these fabulous women, please RSVP to come and celebrate with us on March 7!

Hope to connect with you soon!

Stella & Dot + Dress For Success Partnership

Stella & Dot is partnering with Dress for Success through February 14!  💕 👩🏿‍💼👩🏻‍💼👩🏼‍💼👩🏾‍💼 💕

When I first applied for jobs out of graduate school, I remember that I was nervous about what to wear. I hesitated to wear the expensive watch I'd received as a graduation gift because I did not want a hiring manager to get the wrong impression of me. However, I'll never forget my sweet friend buying me the cutest pair of Cole Haan slingback shoes that I wore to every single interview because they made me feel confident!

As our fearless leader Jessica Herrin said, "Appearance influences your confidence and how others perceive you - which matter on a job interview. But not all women have the clothes and accessories they need for that interview or the job they land. That’s not right."

I am so proud that along with Stella & Dot, we are working with Dress for Success this month to gift a woman in need. Women supporting women, that is what we are all about at Stella & Dot. Please join me in supporting this incredible effort!

For every purchase over $100 between now and Valentine’s Day (Wednesday, February 14), not only are our customers getting a gift of love - pink luxe studs free with their purchase ($24 value) - on their behalf, Stella & Dot will be gifting an item to Dress for Success, too! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Update 2/8/18: We sold through our pink luxe studs inventory (great news for the Dress for Success partnership) and we’re switching to the Tilley Studs starting at midnight PT on 2/9/18!

Update 2/11/18: Oops, we did it again! In just days, we blew through our inventory of Tilley Studs - as our customers are making a greater impact than ever!

To help continue sharing the love and this offer to benefit Dress for Success, we'll be updating the offer with our stunning Sparkle Studs in Gold (while supplies last!) by 10am PT, Monday, February 12 (or sooner!).

I love that Dress for Success is a global organization, and donations will be made based on the order the country was placed in. So yes, Canadian ladies, your purchases go to your Canadian sisters in need! (Canadian customers, please shop my website here: https://ca.stelladot.com/wcfields.)