In 2005, Shannon Keith, founder and CEO of Sudara, a social enterprise that empowers and employs survivors of human trafficking in India, traveled to India, where she witnessed modern day slavery first hand.
After visiting the red light district, she heard stories about how young women were sold as sex slaves to help their families and held against their will and/or trapped by economic poverty.
Keith wanted to stop the vicious cycle by creating a solution so she returned to the U.S. and founded Sudara. By hiring 6 women and training them as seamstresses , they learned to use those talents to make these pajamas and this created a brand that encouraged and inspired its employees. It was the first time these women pulled themselves out of the sex trafficking cycle and into a life that is free and fair.
Sudara now employees over 150 women in multiple sewing centers in India where they receive living wages, which pulls them out of the sex trafficking cycle for good.
DIVERGE spoke to Shannon Keith, the founder of Sudara to find out more:
Sudara CEO and Founder
Where did the idea for Sudara come from?
Freedom! We believe that all human beings are created equally and have equal value, and potential… the only thing often lacking for too many is opportunity. Everything we do at Sudara is geared around restoring dignity and opportunities toward sustainable job creation for women how have been victims or are at highest risk of sex trafficking.
Why is the aspect for social good/social impact so important?
One of the best things to do is buy products from Sudara and other like-minded companies who are actually creating deep and transformational impact through sustainable job creation, not just giving away handouts. When women (and men) have jobs to support themselves and their families, everything changes. Also, it helps to demand that your favorite “go-to” brands have a transparent and virtuous supply chain. If they don’t, you should take your business elsewhere, because you have ethical choices and you can align your spending power with your values. You vote for or against freedom with each purchase that you make…. and we as humans are consumers and make multiple votes per day.
Why does modern slavery need more awareness?
Awareness is the foundation for taking action. In the words of Gary Haugen, President and CEO of International Justice Mission: “Nothing happens just because we are aware of modern-day slavery, but nothing will ever happen until we are.” It’s easy to go about our lives — from the clothes we wear to the coffee we drink to the food we eat — without realizing that our everyday purchases may be contributing to slavery around the world. Once someone is aware of this, though, our hope is that they will shop differently, demand that their favorite brands create slave-free supply chains and, in turn, raise awareness for others too.
How do your products help others?
People want to help end sex trafficking, but just don’t know to get involved. We immediately saw that Sudara’s products and its cause resonate with people. As a result of growing sales, we also saw that our model was working in that we were able to employ more women. So the impact was both on the consumer satisfaction side as well as job creation, which is the ethos and mission of Sudara. We geek out and get so excited about impact… it’s our heart song at Sudara.
How do you hope to expand Sudara?
We love partnering with like-minded people who have a heart to join the movement. Our goal is to connect people with their passion and give tangible ways for each person to put their values into ACTION. If people don’t feel they are an expert with anything to offer… I would say that they most certainly do. If they have a network of people in their lives and a passion for sharing the cause, being a brand ambassador for Sudara is our best marketing tool. Approaches like grassroots, or word-of-mouth about Sudara is the way we are going to spread the word and affect social change on a mass level. My mother always told me actions speak louder than words and this couldn’t be truer than in the fight to end sex trafficking. Everyone has a place at the Sudara table and we’re looking to expand in various markets in 2017 as well.
What do people say about your products?
“There’s nothing better than PJ’s with a purpose. Sudara’s line of cute, comfy loungewear is made by survivors of sex trafficking in India, who are trained by the company to become seamstresses, providing economic opportunity and new hope for their futures.” – Darling Magazine, May 2016
“Chic PJ’s like these ones from Sudara make cozying up extra comfortable and even better knowing that with every pair of PJ’s they are helping to free women in India of the sex-trade by providing them jobs. Something to feel extra good about! And of course, a delicious bottle of wine, an overflowing bowl of popcorn and a little pampering are always in order before diving into a magazine or turning on a movie.” – Laura, Sequins at Breakfast, June 2016
“Purchase a tank like this one from @sudaragoods and you’re helping women and girls in India forge a new life for themselves by providing them employment after being rescued from Human Sex Trafficking. Let’s forward the movement of empowerment! Buy a piece from Sudra and you’re investing in the freedom and dignity of these women and girls to remain free from sex slavery. #empowermentlookslike”
Mary Padian, influencer, February 2017
“Sudara is fighting against slavery and sex-trafficking by giving women the chance to gain job skills and a long-term career. Every product (from the beautiful clothes to the adorable toys) you purchase helps create opportunities for the women making them.” -BuzzFeed, December 2016
“…I took a few moments to read about some ladies who are incredibly brave and truly inspire me to do the hard things. It’s the women who sew the #punjammies I’m wearing that I love so much. They are sex slavery survivors and you can read their stories by clicking on the hashtag #sudarabrave. Thanks @sudaragoods for all you do. -Honey Holden, June 2016
Any Valentine’s Day Specials?
We have 15% off several of our pink and red loungewear items as well as our “Love Changes the World” tees (a personal favorite). If someone is looking for a gift, there are a couple pieces of jewelry and adorable felted elephants and puppies on sale too — those are perfect gifts for little ones.
Additional thoughts:
We are talking about slavery and not just “another important” human rights issue. With the terms floating around the media it now seems that people think it’s just another cause; when in reality we are talking about human beings owning other human beings. If the resurgence of one race owning another race of individuals as a growing and profitable trend would we as a society in 2015 sit back and put that on the shelf with all of the other causes like, environment, animal rights, etc?. I certainly hope not. Our country did not go through a civil war on the backs of an environmental or animal rights issue. We need to treat slavery today with every bit of vehement disgust and intolerance as we did when slavery was abolished with the Emancipation Proclamation given by President Lincoln Jan. 1, 1863. I don’t believe we can call ourselves a civilized society if we do not respond with this type of decisive action.
