I think in theory we all want to be ethical consumers, but in practice that task can sometimes seem daunting or even impossible. That’s why I’ve written this post – to debunk common myths about ethical consumption and offer some useful tips on how to become a...
As we enter Father’s Day weekend, I am reminded of the many fathers I have met in communities plagued by modern slavery around the world. “My father was a slave,” one man told me. “I was born a slave,” he continued. “I don’t want my children to be slaves,” he...
As I ride the elevator to the seventh floor of the old Pfizer industrial building in Brooklyn, I have no idea what to expect. On their website, the Pratt Institute Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator (BF+DA) is described as “a hub for ethical fashion and design that...
“The industry is ready, and I’m ready," says Rebecca Ballard when asked ‘why now’ about her brand, Maven Women. The brand, which was fashioned into existence in 2016, aims to provide the working woman with a professional wardrobe that puts ethics and sustainability at...
The Free the Slaves Fashion for Freedom Campaign returns this summer to bring awareness to atrocity of modern slavery within the fashion industry. By bringing together brands and speakers that offer alternatives to questionably-made clothing, we will show that there...
Are human trafficking victims hidden inside your closet? Could be. It’s not your fault, it’s hard to know if your wardrobe is tainted by sweatshop slave labor. But now it’s easy to stop financing the enslavement of women and children in the fashion industry. Free the...
Today brings a close to Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. But at Free the Slaves, it’s not a time to relax. We will not rest for one instant until everyone, everywhere is free from bondage. The great civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer noted that...
Saturday marks the first anniversary of Donald Trump’s inauguration – and around the world there will be Women’s Marches in major cities. For Free the Slaves, the anniversary is a moment to take stock of Trump promises and performance. In February, Trump pledged to...
What does slavery look like? Somehow it’s both notorious and faceless. Sometimes it peeks out from bars or restaurants. Often it’s hidden in homes, brothels, and farms, then buried further in international supply chains. Child slaves—forced to haul heavy bricks at...
January 11th has been designated by Congress as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. For supporters of Free the Slaves, today is an opportunity to help the anti-slavery movement grow. Please go to the social media links for this blog (on the left on a desktop or...
With 40 million people trapped in modern forms of slavery, the goal of ensuring freedom for all is more urgent than ever before. If we pull together, we can end one of history’s most shameful crimes. And we can do it more quickly than you might imagine. That is why we...
Free the Slaves donors all have one thing in common: a burning desire to make slavery a thing of the past. That's why we sent award-winning documentary filmmakers this year to spotlight four Free the Slaves donors to learn how they discovered that slavery still exits...
Double Your Impact - Donate Today Dear Friends of Free the Slaves, We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to making the work of Free the Slaves possible. Your donations are spreading freedom to thousands of people around the globe. All of us on the board...
In his music, friendships and faith, Derek Mount thinks often about connections and impact. He imagines his music carries with it a “little trail of peace.” He sees the freedom in his life, the chance do what he loves. Then he looks outside himself, at the 40 million...
Over a 30-year career, Lisa Kristine has documented native cultures and causes in more than 100 countries. She is an internationally acclaimed humanitarian photographer. Today she is a global voice of anti-slavery activism. Yet it wasn’t always so. Seeing Slavery at...
Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick asks big questions. Who are we? What do we want to make of life? Who counts as human? And in the historical reckoning of slavery—how do we want to be judged? In his staunch support of Free the Slaves, Choi-Fitzpatrick thinks deeply about that....
Harvard historian Timothy Patrick McCarthy is a scholar of slavery. And even he didn’t know about modern slavery until he read FTS Co-founder Kevin Bales’ seminal work, Disposable People. “I was completely blind to the reality that the things I was studying...
Free the Slaves would like to thank our Washington-area supporters for coming to our D.C. United tailgate and soccer game event! With your help, we have raised more than $2,000 for our “United for Freedom” campaign. We had a great time sharing our work with the D.C....
Have you purchased your ticket to join Free the Slaves at our annual United for Freedom Campaign event? Come watch D.C. United play the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday, Sept. 23 at RFK Stadium! We have organized a terrific pregame tailgate starting at 4:30 p.m., where...
The fight against slavery cannot be won by one group working alone. It takes many organizations, governments and communities acting in unison to free the enslaved and protect the vulnerable. The work of Free the Slaves is only possible because of your help! That’s why...
The fight against slavery cannot be won alone. It takes unity. Freedom is possible when organizations, governments and communities work together to safeguard the lives of the vulnerable. That's why Free the Slaves has created a network of partner organizations that...
We never get tired of highlighting the amazing work that our partners in the Fair Trade Fashion Show are doing. Maggie’s Organics, a conflict-free silver level sponsor, is committed to providing fair trade fashion to their customers. Bená Burda founded Maggie’s...
Throughout July, our Fashion for Freedom Campaign has been in motion leading up to the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons at the end of the month. Our campaign supports vocational training programs, providing safe spaces for trafficking survivors...
We are so excited to share some new information about the upcoming Fair Trade Fashion Show with you! Have you purchased your ticket yet? You'll want to after you hear who we have participating in the show! Our host will be Nada Jones. She's a consultant, entrepreneur,...
An educated consumer has the power to end slavery. That’s why Free the Slaves and Bead & Reel are hosting a fair trade fashion show July 29 to raise money and awareness of modern slavery. This show is the third annual of its kind. With slavery being a $150 billion...
This post was written by Kanta Mendon, with contributions from Sarah Bluestein and Shannon Fallon Nobel Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi says American consumers play an important role in the fight against child labor. America has one of the largest import economies in...
As we get closer to our Fair Trade Fashion Show, it's a great opportunity to shine a light on our co-host, Bead & Reel. Founded in 2014 by Sica Schmitz, Bead & Reel epitomizes ethical fashion. This brand offers clothing that is eco-friendly, cruelty-free and...
Your tax dollars have helped combat slavery worldwide. America has been the global leader in funding front-line anti-trafficking programs run by nonprofit organizations like Free the Slaves. Just this year, our team rescued three boys from traffickers on the very day...
Over the past 20 years the global antislavery movement has grown rapidly. Chart that growth and you get a long tail, then a steep upward curve about 10 years ago. From a small campaign on the margins, antislavery went mainstream and a series of tipping points marked...
I often get asked why I wrote a book about contemporary slaveholders. Once people get over the fact that slavery still exists they want to know who on earth is out there, right now doing what it takes to exploit their fellow humans in the worst sort of way? At the...
One of the most important things to remember about slavery is that it never really ended. It has been outlawed worldwide, but never eradicated. There are tens of millions of people trapped in modern forms of slavery around the globe today. That’s why Free the Slaves...
The turning of a new year is always a pivotal moment; the past is behind us and our eyes focus on the future. That’s especially true with the passing of the 2016 elections and the potential in 2017 for strengthening policies that will benefit those affected by human...
The season of giving is close at hand. In celebration of the spirit of community , Free the Slaves is spotlighting some of most inspiring donors in our original film series, “Why I Free Slaves.” These short profiles tell the deeply personal stories of people who...
Slavery is a key part of Jewish identity. The central narrative of Jewish faith is being enslaved in ancient Egypt; it is the story the Jewish community tells on Passover, every Sabbath, and during daily prayers. The book of Exodus recounts the miracle of Moses...
Virginia Williams, a Hollywood television actress, did not seek out Free the Slaves. She was actually wary at first. Seven years ago a friend invited her to the Freedom Awards, a FTS ceremony honoring the world’s best anti-slavery work. A presenter told the audience...
Margaret Graff, an investment professional in Atlanta, helps her clients find charities that are both authentic and inspiring. She counsels them to choose a trustworthy group that truly speaks to the heart. She found that in Free the Slaves. As a wealth management...
In the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, James Hannaham sees slavery everywhere: the coffee shop, crowded sidewalks, the vegetable aisle of his supermarket. Some people could be wearing clothes sewn by slaves, others eating fruit picked by slaves. “I look all over the place...
In Robert Birk’s 8th-grade English class, his students read The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. The abolitionist’s powerful autobiography tells of Douglass’ escape from slavery and life as a free man, overcoming obstacles to become an influential writer and...
Free the Slaves filmmakers have traveled the globe to document inspiring stories of slavery and freedom. Now, they’re turning the camera on our committed contributors. Today we’re launching a unique film series: “Why I Free Slaves.” It spotlights the deeply personal...
Last Friday, I flew from my home in Miami to Washington to attend the quarterly board meeting of Free the Slaves, one of the most important anti-slavery organizations in the world today. Coincidently, my parents, who reside in Williamsburg, Virginia, were in...
Submitted by Houy Chap | Senhoa’s Cambodia-based accountantSenhoa Jewelry Social Enterprise is very important. Many of the girls who [work for Senhoa] come out of bad situations [and] have a very low level of education. Some are illiterate because they have spent much...
Submitted by Jessica Hendricks Yee | Founder of The Brave CollectionEight years ago I was a sophomore at NYU, majoring in, well, storytelling. I passed my days in drama classes, bopping around in leopard leggings and bright lipstick. I was challenged by Brechtian...
Submitted by Malia DesignsMalia Designs is a socially responsible fair trade brand that designs and sells handbags. Our products are handcrafted in Cambodia and every Malia purchase helps to fight human trafficking. The mission of Malia Designs is the same today as it...
Submitted by Starfish ProjectStarfish Project began in 2006, when our founder and CEO Jenny McGee began visiting women caught in exploitation and trafficking. Visiting the shops is truly heartbreaking. It was clear the women had a very real economic need, so we opened...
Submitted by Passion LiliePassion Lilie is a fair trade and ecofriendly fashion brand whose mission is to empower artisans through dignified employment opportunities.This month, we are excited to collaborate with Free the Slaves, whose goals and values align with our...
Submitted by Wendy Dailey | Co-founder & President of iSanctuaryInternational Sanctuary (iSanctuary) was founded in 2007 to empower victims of sex trafficking to rebuild their lives with economic opportunities. Purpose Jewelry, the iSanctuary fashion brand, is...
Free the Slaves has teamed-up with 12 ethical fashion brands for a one-month campaign to raise awareness about modern slavery and to raise funds to end it. Throughout July, we'll be bringing you news of special fashion offers that benefit Free the Slaves. You can...
Free the Slaves is thrilled to welcome the largest and most dynamic group of summer interns we've ever had!We've asked each to say a bit about themselves and why they've chosen Free the Slaves. MONITORING, LEARNING & EVALUATION ALANA JONESWhere are you going to...
Not sure what to give the mothers in your life for Mother's Day? Give Freedom! As a tribute to your mom, help free entire villages from slavery in India. Then download our 2016 Mother's Day card and email it to her.Our Mother's Day theme this year is short and simple:...
We need your help to make modern slavery a presidential campaign issue. With tens of millions enslaved worldwide, it’s critical that the next U.S. president make fighting slavery a priority.Today, the anti-slavery movement is launching the Generation Freedom campaign....