With a number of major brands and designers sending female empowerment messages during New York Fashion Week, Libby and Sam Edelman are making a strong statement of their own. The couple held a special in-store event at the Sam Edelman store on Spring Street in New York last Thursday evening to spread awareness about the work of the UN Women for Peace Association (UNWFPA).
An engaged group of Sam Edelman fans got to hear from the UN organization’s president Barbara Winston during a conversation moderated by Libby Edelman. The audience then got to preview the company’s new denim collection and shop the store, with 10 percent of the sales going to the cause.
“If we can help and use our voices to talk about what’s going on in the world, we can make a difference. It’s all about education and we take it for granted,” said Libby Edelman, SVP and co-founder at Sam Edelman. “I’m learning so much, and I’m really proud to be part of this.”
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The UNWFPA is committed to the prevention of violence against women and girls and to the provision of services to those affected. It also works to empower women in societies where they are disadvantaged.
Winston talked about one of the group’s biggest initiatives – The UNWFPA School for Syrian refugee girls. The educational and vocational school serves students who face serious challenges in their daily lives. They often lack access to healthcare, safe water, adequate sanitation, proper hygiene, and substantial shelter. (Most live in nearby tented settlements).
“The UN Women for Peace Association is dedicated to activities that promote tolerance and respect toward the creation of a peaceful world,” said UNWFPA’s President Barbara Winston. “We believe women’s rights are human rights. Much of our energy is directed towards raising funds for the “United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women” and “The UN Women for Peace Association School for Syrian Refugee Girls.” Without the foundation of education, these girls are more likely to fall victim to abuse.” She then encouraged the audience to promote UNWFPA by hashtagging “I Walk for Women” on social media.
Winston also invited the group to attend UNWFPA’s Awards Luncheon on March 8 in celebration of International Women’s Day.
To learn more, go here.
