This week I’ve been actively following a group of amazing women who are part of the ONE Moms/ONE Mums delegation to Ethiopia. Today these women are flying home to the United States and the UK where they will continue to use their voice in sharing the stories and photographs of what they learned and saw during their week long journey in Ethiopia.
ONE is a non-partisian advocacy organization that is backed by over 3 million members who work with government leaders to support proven, cost-effective solutions that save lives and help build sustainable futures. What I love most about ONE is that it is 100% volunteer lead by grassroots activists and does not ask for money but only your voice. ONE holds world leaders accountable for commitments they have made to fight extreme poverty by campaigning for better, more sustainable development policies and effective international aid.
Part of ONE’s advocacy is strengthened by the creation of ONE Moms, a group of powerful women bloggers, writers and other prominent advocates to help spread the word of ONE’s mission. These women have dedicated their time, energy, enthusiasm and passion for helping moms around the world have happier, healthier lives.
In order to get a full understanding of some of the issues people face around the world, ONE created a strategic advisory council made up of influential moms and advocates who would use their voice to connect with mothers in Africa and share their stories to inspire change. This lead to ONE Moms first delegation to Kenya in July where ONE Moms visited clinics, HIV testers and women farmers to hear their stories and share them with their American audience. The trip had miraculous results in which the ONE Moms were named by ABC World New as the “Persons of the Week” and ONE gained several thousand new members and supporters.
Building on the success of the Kenya trip, ONE organized another trip this week with a group of twelve influencial women from the US and UK – ranging from a brain scientist, a middle school principal, authors, lawyers and photographer to a supermodel. Their trip included a visit to a sustainable women-owned business, a fistula hospital as well as visits with rural women, farmers and school children. The week was a tremendous success with stories being shared across the globe through a variety of platforms and dialogues being continued on what we can do to promote effective change.
I am honored to become a ONE Moms Community Partner. In this new role, I’ll work on the ground here from Minnesota using my voice through my blog and other social media outlets to advocate for ONE’s mission to end extreme poverty and help affect positive change. I’m looking forward to my next venture in giving back.
As a token of ONE’s appreciation to my commitment to help, I’ve received a lovely FashionABLE scarf made by one of ONE’s beneficiaries in Ethiopia.
FashionABLE is one example of how empowering women and giving them the tools they need to succeed can help create sustainable, positive impact on their lives. Most of the women employed at FashionABLE were once prostitutes. However, the opening of the FashionABLE Factory and creation of a sustainable business changed their lives forever and helps them live in dignity. It is a beautiful success story which is just one example of how groups like ONE work with community leaders to help empower women.
To read more about ONE Moms visit to FashionABLE click here. To learn more about FashionABLE, click here and you are sure to be inspired. You can also order your own FashionABLE scarf as well.
Each scarf is handmade with love and care…
Each scarf comes with a note…
FashionABLE is just one of many beautiful success stories that ONE Moms encountered in Ethiopia. There are many more and hopefully there will be many more to come. In closing, I wanted to leave you with a few of my favorite photos and stories from the ONE Moms trip to Ethiopia. Please enjoy, spread the word and share. It is by using our voice that we can impact change and create a better world and future for all.
Two photos taken over the week that inspired me the most:

Photo caption: A girl from the Mary Joy organization in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo by Cathleen Falsani for Sojourners.
A few of my absolute favorite posts from the week of ONE Moms advocacy trip in Ethiopia:
- The Unbelievable Strength of Women
- What Mothers want for our children: Its all the same. Until its different.
- Morning Call to Prayer
- Dispatches from Ethiopia
- Traveling to Ethiopia will change motherhood for me
For more information on ONE or how you can also become a ONE member, please click here.
Sounds like a great group to be involved with, Nicole! Love the T-shirt and scarf.
Hope your weekend is going well.
Hugs,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy! I’m looking forward to it!
Looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your energy and experience, to build awareness and rally support for African women. Is ONE Moms doing or planning anything in Ivory Coast?
That is a good question. I’m not sure but if I find out, I’ll let you know. They have worked and visited Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia. So we will see!
Thanks so much. If they are doing anything in Ivory Coast, I would be pleased to get involved and contribute!
Wonderful Jeanette! I will let you know. 🙂
That is so moving to see the T-shirt and scarf and the note! Thank you for sharing information on the One.
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed!!!!
I’ll pick up a few items to support the One. Thanks, Nicole!
Wonderful Amy! The scarves are really amazing and I read their story on the website and it was so beautiful. It is nice to wear and I feel great knowing that it was handmade by a woman who has pulled herself out of poverty and the bottom. The bracelets are also nice and are $1 each with a donation going towards AIDS. Lots of wonderful products that you can feel great about buying and with the holidays coming up….!
Thank you again, Nicole! I will consider to get a few scarves and bracelets. These women are amazing. It’s our privilege to give thme a small support.
This is great! Are you participating in Blog Action Day? http://blogactionday.org
Wow! Thank you so much for informing me! I had no idea about this and yes I’m going to whip something together for it! Thanks again!
Excellent work! The lady in the tag photo looks like Liya Kebede. Thanks for sharing this vital information. 😉
You’re welcome! I am really inspired by these amazing women of Ethiopia. I hope some day I can go and meet them in person!
I bet you will meet them someday too! 😉
Looks like a great place to start my Christmas shopping, Nicole.
Me too Jo! I’m thinking I’m going to purchase some too for friends and family. Great way to give back!
I’m home from Ethiopia and still pretty woozy from the jetlag, but I just wanted to say THANK YOU for supporting the #ONEMoms during our journey. It meant so very much to us to feel all the support and excitement at home. I’m wearing my scarf right now, too, and am filled with amazing memories which I hope to share in the coming weeks.
You are entirely welcome Asha! I truly enjoyed following your journey and stories. I’m an avid traveler myself and global volunteer thus your story meant a lot to me. It is so wonderful that you all were able to go and meet with these women and share their stories! It was extremely inspirational for us on our end and I bet for you, a life-changing event! 🙂