In this issue | Winter 2010

Campaign Spotlight

Faces of Freedom launch at the President's Gallery of the World Bank. The Faces of Freedom photographic exhibition was hosted by 15 venues around the U.S. in 2009. This holiday season, the Miami International Airport and the World Bank debuted special versions of the exhibit interwoven with GoodWeave certified rugs, reinforcing the lifesaving connection between such rugs and the “carpet kids” in the photographs. At the opening event in Miami on November 19, University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala implored attendees to look for the GoodWeave label: “All rugs are not created equal; there [sometimes] is a human price for their beauty.” This exhibit is on display through April. Yolanda Sanchez, Miami International Airport; Donna E. Shalala, University of Miami; Nina Smith, RugMark USA; and Stephanie Odegard, Odegard, Inc., at Reception to Launch Exhibit at Miami Airport. On December 10, nearly 200 people gathered for the opening reception in the President’s Gallery of the World Bank, where they heard introductory remarks by Nepal Ambassador Shankar Sharma lauding GoodWeave’s work in Nepal as a model to be replicated around the world. Click here to see images from the World Bank event. Faces of Freedom photographer U. Roberto Romano also spoke that evening.  “When I look at these faces, I see the difference between Shaseen, who was a slave of carpet dealers, and Laxmi, who is now a symbol of hope,” he said. “They represent the stark choices that face us every day as consumers and as global citizens. In taking these photos, I wanted you to be able to look at them as if they were your own children.” RugMark rescued Laxmi, seen in the white shirt above, at the age of six from a carpet factory in Nepal. Since then, Laxmi has flourished as a student. Now 17, she is top in her class and pursuing a university degree with continued support through the GoodWeave scholarship program. Coincidentally, RugMark Executive Director Nina Smith recently got a message from Laxmi, who is indeed a beacon of hope, and a young woman of compassion: She wrote to inquire after RugMark staff, having heard about the recent cold snap in DC! She proudly conveyed her high scores on her first computer exam, news that reaffirms the value of GoodWeave’s work. Faces of Freedom continues traveling in 2010, with a digital version of the exhibit, together with rugs designed by GoodWeave member Joan Weissman Studio, on view at the Albuquerque gallery 516 ARTS February 6 to April 3. The exhibit is part of Form & Function, a group show of artists and designers exploring sustainability, reuse, decoration, tradition and innovation. To find out about more upcoming venues for Faces of Freedom, please consult the exhibit calendar at FacesofFreedom.GoodWeave.org.

News and Events

Media coverage of GoodWeave this quarter has included several far-reaching outlets. A segment viewable on MSNBC.com for “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” tells the story of exploitative child labor and how GoodWeave works to end it. A piece by Natural Home Magazine editor-in-chief Robyn Griggs Lawrence predicts child-labor-free rugs certified by GoodWeave as an important design trend for 2010. Natural Home's announcement of the new GoodWeave brand earlier this quarter was picked up by the Huffington Post. Faces of Freedom was also covered in USAToday.com, The Miami Herald and Home & Design. In addition, the most recent issues of GoodWeave media sponsors Luxe and Dwell include the GoodWeave ad.

RugMark has been honored as the 2009 winner of Green America’s Building Economic Alternatives (BEA) Award, which recognizes leaders in the movement to use the economy to create a more just and sustainable society. “It’s a thrill to give this award to RugMark,” says Denise Hamler, director of Green America’s Green Business programs. “They have been a huge force for ending child labor in South Asia, and with the GoodWeave label…they are embracing the true meaning of ‘green’—one that means environmental and social responsibility. We are proud to salute the important work they do.”

In related news, to enable partners to offset the carbon emissions created by their shipments, RugMark has launched a program in partnership with Carbon Clear, one of world’s largest and most reputable carbon management companies. Using Carbon Clear tools, GoodWeave partners can calculate the emissions created by their shipments, and purchase offsets that fund Indian textile projects and other programs to improve living standards in developing countries and provide global climate benefits. Click here to learn more.

The 2009 GoodWeave Rug Raffle was a huge success! DC local Katie Fox, of the National Democratic Institute, held the lucky ticket to win the luscious Riviera Caramel, donated by new GoodWeave member Warp & Weft. The raffle raised nearly $11,000 for GoodWeave’s programs. Thank you to Michael Mandapati of Warp & Weft for his generous rug donation and participation, and to all who took part in the raffle.

Ritu Tyagi, GoodWeave India; Ajay Karki, RugMark Nepal; Lobsang Lama, Gomang Carpet; and Mathew John, GoodWeave India; in the GoodWeave booth at Domotex.

This January, RugMark was among 1,400 exhibitors in Hannover, Germany for Domotex, the world’s premier flooring trade show. The GoodWeave program made its European debut at the start of the show, with a booth featuring images from Faces of Freedom.  GoodWeave member Creative Matters, the only Canadian designer of hand-made rugs at the event, introduced new additions, inspired by the Canadian landscape, to the Aerial Collection. Stile BK also introduced pieces from its new lines Rami and Insects.  

RugMark USA is an invited sponsor of the 10th Annual Social Enterprise Conference at the Harvard Business School and Kennedy School of Government February 27-28. The conference explores synergies among for-profit, non-profit and public sector approaches to critical social issues.

Several of GoodWeave’s newest members recently debuted their certified rugs, including BravinLee, ecoFiber Custom Rugs, and Warp & Weft. A selection of licensees’ rug images can be viewed in the online showroom.

Several of GoodWeave’s partners were named as the best North American rug showrooms in the winter issue of Cover (formerly modern carpets & textiles). The feature article by Michael Christie of Red Spruce Limited and author of The Ruggist blog, entitled "Simply the Best -- North America," lists Floordesign, Madison Millinger, Driscoll Robbins Oriental Carpets, and Steven King, Inc., among several other GoodWeave partners standing out as best in class.

GoodWeave in Action: Stories

Boy poses for the other children on the roof of the GoodWeave rehabilitation center during a special art class led by Carol Sebert of Creative Matters.

Carol Sebert, founder of GoodWeave partner Creative Matters, traveled to Nepal in November, and spent an afternoon leading an art class for 33 rescued child weavers in the Kathmandu rehabilitation center supported by the GoodWeave program. In her words:

“I went to the GoodWeave home where the kids live with paper, paints (house paint tinted yellow, pink and blue), black ink and paintbrushes. The kids were really excited...

I began with them all up on the roof of their home, as it was a gloriously sunny day…I instructed them to paint themselves in a setting that they liked and WOW, the results were amazing. Many of them did houses with the Himalayas in the background with clouds in the sky and big suns. One boy painted the RugMark house that they all currently live in with him on the roof flying a kite; another boy drew himself as almost a cartoon superman type figure in a charming landscape. Gorgeous work. And they were so proud of themselves - I couldn’t take enough pictures of them holding their artworks, it was absolutely lovely.”

Read more about Carol’s trip and see more pictures here.

Donor Profile

GoodWeave efforts depend on guidance from members of its Board of Directors and support from its donors. Michela O’Connor Abrams, board Chairperson, brings both with spirited dedication. President and Publisher of Dwell, the award-winning design and lifestyle media company and GoodWeave media sponsor, Michela brings 20 years of business experience to her role as Chairperson. Her commitment to outstanding design and to ethical and environmentally-aware consumption—notions she believes are far from mutually exclusive—are evident in Dwell and in her work on behalf of GoodWeave.

“The work I do on behalf of GoodWeave is among the most rewarding endeavors of my career," Michela says.  "Making a demonstrable difference in the life of a child while fostering a more humane and sustainable industry is what drew me to the organization and makes it a pleasure to work with Nina Smith and the staff at GoodWeave."

Michela supports GoodWeave in many ways: in Dwell’s donation of advertising space; before, during, and after board meetings; at key events; and in direct consultation with staff members. At a September 2009 reception celebrating the launch of GoodWeave, Michela bid for and won a donated, GoodWeave certified carpet. Her generous winning bid helped raise $4,500 in a silent auction benefitting emancipated child weavers and at-risk children in Nepal and India.

Michela’s communications, branding, and business development acumen inform GoodWeave outreach to consumers and the design world. Her recent accomplishments with Dwell illustrate her visionary skills, and include hitting the coveted Adweek HotList and the Advertising Age A-List in 2006, when Dwell was a Cappell’s Circulation Top Ten Performer for the second consecutive year, and seeing Dwell to its first major award when the magazine won General Excellence at the 2005 National Magazine Awards.

To learn more about Dwell, visit www.dwell.com.

@Rugmark USA

RugMark USA welcomes Nancy Wilson as its newest board member. Nancy is Director and Associate Dean of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University, a program working to integrate a public service ethic into all aspects of the Tufts’ student experience. Nancy has over 20 years’ experience in non-profit and for profit management, in the U.S. and overseas, including direct management and bottom-line responsibility. Nancy holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University.

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