Discover the KEEP Collective: A Labor Day Giveway

[source]

Sweet friends,

Hope you are enjoying the first day of a long Labor Day weekend.  This morning, I put on my librarian cat-eye glasses and gray wig to research the reason we have this three day weekend holiday here in America.

An article online at history.com provided an answer.

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events.

Not only are we recognizing the American worker (who, IMHO-in my honest opinion-no longer works the way they used to, with the same ethic and drive), but we are FINALLY celebrating the end of summer.

With today’s post I want to salute a parade of American women entrepreneurs who have helped shape our country, open doors and opportunities to women – wives, daughters, mothers, grandmothers.

Left to right:  Oprah Winfrey, Ruth Handler, Madam CJ Walker, Elizabeth Arden, Coco Chanel, Mary Kay Ash

Before the 20th century, women joined the working world or became entrepreneurs out of necessity, in order “to keep poverty at bay after the loss of or abandonment by a spouse, or to provide an income for an unmarried woman. Women did not historically use the word “entrepreneur” to describe their businesses until the late 1970s; before that, they called them “sidelines” or part-time projects and understood entrepreneurship to describe what men did.”  [source]

I know even in my life (20th century, thank you), there have been times where I have had to get creative in finding extra ways to support my daughters.  Watering lawns, assorted odd jobs at a vet clinic, caring for a dying elderly woman,  hosting a TV show, waitressing all in addition to my full-time job.  I like to think that mothers often rise to the occasion, whatever that might be.  I am reminded of  ““Rosie the Riveter,” star of a government campaign aimed at recruiting female workers for the munitions industry, became perhaps the most iconic image of working women during the war.” [source]

[source]

Rosie is one of my heroes.

To switch gears just a little bit I want to introduce you to one of my librarian friends and blog followers, Morgan.  She is entering the world of entrepreneurship and I want to share with you what she is up to.  I have been drooling over the adorable KEEPsakes Morgan is styling and posting to her Facebook page.  You can check it out here.  But before you do, meet Morgan.

Welcome to KEEP Collective!
Hello fabulous readers of Leslie’s blog!  My name is Morgan and I am a friend of Leslie’s.  We met when she was my sub for my maternity leave.  I had a sweet baby boy on March 16, 2015 and Leslie was able to be my sub at Rusk Elementary here in El Paso.  She is an amazing woman and I feel privileged to be her friend.  She invited me to write a blog piece about my favorite new jewelry. (Aww, thank you, my sweet friend!)

KEEP Collective is a sister company of Stella & Dot.  http://www.stelladot.com/     KEEP Collective is very new.  Right now we have about 7,000 designers spread out over the United States.  I have a great graphic that shares how new KEEP Collective really is.

KEEP Collective is a new type of jewelry that is totally customizable.  That is what makes it so fun.  As stated on the KEEP Collective website, “From the believers who brought you STELLA & DOT comes the next generation of FLEXIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP for women. To expand the impact of our mission, we married our love of life with our LOVE OF JEWELRY. This is how KEEP was born – a collection of ONE-OF-A-KIND, interchangeable Keepers and Keys. Each one is a wearable touchstone, an instant reminder of the big things, the small things, and all the things that matter.”

KEEP Collective has many different ways to tell your story.  All KEYS (our term for the interchangeable pieces of our jewelry) and pendants are TOP-NOTCH QUALITY with shiny, durable ionic plating, typically used for high-end watches. They are anti-tarnish, hypoallergenic, and lead and nickel safe.

Never underestimate the power of a friendly word. When you wear this key you’ll spread the message of compassion, and help create a world where KINDness is cool.

KEEP Collective will donate 20% of the purchase price of eligible customer purchases of the KINDBar, which constitutes our determination of all net proceeds for this item, to Kind Campaign.

Kind Campaign is an internationally recognized non-profit organization that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl bullying through their global movement, documentary film, in-school assemblies, and educational curriculum. For more info, please visit Kind Campaign.

Thank you, Morgan, for introducing my buds and me to KEEP.  I am going to work on putting together my first KEEP piece over the weekend.  So many unique, fun, thoughtful keys to play with.

I just learned about the Kind Campaign through Morgan and have liked their Facebook and have started following their blog.  The campaign was founded by two young women, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, in an effort “to create an outlet and spread awareness about the emotional, verbal and physical abuse within female relationships.” [source].  Kind of girl-on-girl bullying, if you will.  I know I have been the target of this kind of bullying and I bet many of you have, too.  So I want to encourage you to check out the Kind Campaign through the video clip below.

Then maybe you can share the KEEP Collective and the Kind Campaign with the girls and women in your life.

To get one reader started on her very own KEEP, I am offering a give-away for a rose gold KINDBar.

Please enter the giveaway below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are interested in creating your own KEEP, I know Morgan would be glad to help you.  You can leave a comment for Morgan below or connect with her on Facebook page Morgan’s KEEP Collective Online Launch.

Thank you for spending a bit of your day with me.

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend, my friends!

Hugs and kisses,