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Micro Business:
Economic Justice for Women
The Women’s Economic Development Project is a new initiative that was created from the will, drive, and creativity of the Whittier mothers and community residents who graduated from the leadership trainings and became actively involved in the organizing campaigns around equity in public education. During conversations, reflection exercises, and evaluations of the current adult education classes, women shared stories about their common struggles to pay rent, bring food to the table, and keep their family healthy. Their daily lives focused on improving their family’s quality of life by seeking creative alternatives to gain more income. Some sold Avon and Tupperware products, organized raffles, made jewelry, cooked food for community meetings and gatherings, and a few ventured to start their own mini-business as “eloteras,” or corn vendors.
Their motivations lead Pilsen Alliance to explore the possibility of this new initiative as a tool for economic justice. Our goal is to give these women the confidence and opportunity to build on their talents, skills, and knowledge as artisans, mothers, and homemakers and collectively develop a successful and sustainable alternative income. The program would combine artisan workshops such as candle making, soap making, paper mache, and arts and crafts with business oriented workshops (creating budgets, marketing products) and life skills training (e .g. setting personal and collective goals, financial planning). Ultimately, we strive to create a sustainable alternative income that can change their current socio-economic status and strengthen relationships with other female- run small businesses and cooperatives to exchange experiences and build collective power.