Social Enterprise Company, To the Market, Changing Lives Around the World by Empowering Those who are Marginalized
Already this year, Seele has written about organizations that are working to empower women, whether they are women from conflict backgrounds, or young girls who want to be journalists. Seele’s mission is to highlight empowerment and the people or organizations that are helping to empower women. We’ve covered stories in Africa, as well as organizations that are helping women who are survivors of war from the former Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. And we’ve profiled movers and shakers in social entrepreneurship, education, business, and journalism- from New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
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We now turn our sites to a global social enterprise called To the Market. To the Market economically empowers vulnerable women through artisan enterprise. They connect artisan groups employing survivors of abuse, conflict, and disease to consumers and businesses seeking social impact products. They've partnered with over 25 groups in over 20 countries around the world to help expand their market access, tell their stories, and grow their capacity.
For Jane, To the Market is a passionate venture that she not only started, but one where she is surrounded by a team of people to help her carry out its mission. The enterprise showcases handmade goods, made exclusively by proud and passionate artisans who have overcome the perils of abuse, conflict, and disease. These women artisans are survivors of different kinds of abuse, like domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, as well as human trafficking. These women artisans are survivors of conflict- they are war widows, refugees, or persons living in conflict or post conflict states. These women artisans are survivors of disease, like HIV/AIDS, leprosy, or they have physical disabilities.
To the Market carries out its mission by working with local partners around the world in bringing artisan goods “to the market,” where the enterprise takes an active role in equipping the survivor’s that they employ with economic independence, while raising awareness of the challenges that they face.
Together with her team, Jane hopes that there will be an increase in sales for their Local Partners, allowing them to expand their operations and employ more survivors who are being empowered.
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Seele Magazine: What was it like working for the McCain Institute, as the Director of Humanitarian Action, overseeing its anti-human trafficking program?
Jane Mosbacher Morris: It was an incredible experience for which I am very grateful. It was a terrific opportunity to work in a new organization and help shape policy on ant-trafficking. I was also very fortunate to learn from a seasoned principal, Mrs. Cindy McCain.
SM: You’ve traveled the world where you have spoken on social enterprise issues and peace and security issues. What are some of those places and what’s one place that has stuck out for you?
JMM: In Spring 2013, while at the McCain Institute, I traveled to India with Mrs. Cindy McCain to learn more about efforts to tackle human trafficking with the International Justice Mission. In the red light district in Kolkata, we had the opportunity to visit two amazing social enterprises working with human trafficking survivors through artisan enterprise. While we had visited numerous after-care facilities, I was struck by the distinction in the energy I felt when visiting the social enterprises. I traced this to the fact that the survivors were working as artisans--and because of that, they had a renewed sense of energy and dignity. I wanted to be a part of that.
SM: What inspired you to start TO THE MARKET?
JMM: That trip in 2013 really opened my eyes to the world of artisan enterprise. I just couldn’t stop thinking about those artisans I met, how positive they were, and of the beautiful, intricate products that they were producing using traditional skills. I also recognized that there was a growing consumer demand for handmade and social impact products. Market forces were aligning and I knew I could connect the supply of artisan goods with the demand.
SM: Why is it TO THE Market's mission to economically empower women?
JMM: When I travel abroad, the most consistent feedback I get from the women with whom we work is more orders! More economic opportunity! They want the ability to earn an income and take care of their family. Social services are important, but not a longer-term solution.
SM: In the regions of the world where you work, which nationality of women need economic empowerment?
JMM: Survivors of abuse, conflict, and disease from around the world (whether women or men) are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Unfortunately, survivors live in all corners of the globes.
SM: What are some ways that these women and communities are empowered?
JMM: Women in the developing world typically invest 90 cents for every dollar they earn, so this means that the money they earn is going towards things like food, shelter, medicine, education, and supporting other community members.
Outside of these earnings, many co-ops often provide services in addition to employment. For example, one of our partner cooperatives provides school lunches to children in the communities in which they work! TO THE MARKET specifically provides mental health white papers for its co-operative mangers, for example.
SM: What countries are TO THE MARKET concentrated in?
JMM: We work with over 25 partners in over 20 countries! We work in Africa with countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, and the DRC. We work in Asia with countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. We work in Europe and the Middle East with countries such as Kosovo, Greece, Afghanistan, and the West Bank. We work in the Americas with countries such as Guatemala, Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the United States.
SM: What’s one story that inspires you to wake up every morning to keep doing what you do?
JMM: I consistently come back to the little girl I met in a red light district in Mumbai. Her mother is still living in that district, but is part of a jewelry-making program I visited. I think of her all the time (she has been on my phone’s background for over a year) because she reminds me for whom I am working. If we can change her mother’s life, we change that little girl’s life.
You can shop To the Market's site by goods; causes (i.e. abuse, HIV/Aids, war widows); countries; and their local partners.