BRANDED Message of Hope
- mirandatamaska
- Oct 24, 2017
- 3 min read
As I sat to write this blog, my words fumbled and I backspaced about 100 times. I stared at an empty screen and shook my head with tears rolling down my face. Prior to this moment I spent about an hour reading through the blog posts and survivor stories on the BRANDED Collective website. BRANDED Collective is a jewelry collection for men and women created to help the cause of ending human trafficking. Today Nashville-based BRANDED Collective employs survivors of human trafficking offering them hope to pursue their dreams that were once taken away. I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with them and write this post you are reading now.
Blogging often time gives me the opportunity to relate to others, to offer solutions that worked for me, and in my own way pay it forward. My normal “I understand. Here is what I know. Why not try this?” had no merit here. There was no story I had to relate.
I was empty. There literally were no words.
Because... how could I do anything to help?
In 2012 co-founders of BRANDED Collective Lauren and Emily were in a similar “what can we do?” place. They desired to join the abolition of human trafficking however found themselves unqualified to become case workers. Their desire to help led them to a creative business of selling silver, gold, and copper cuffs in various sizes. Read their cool, inspiring story HERE.
Reading their story helped me realize this wasn’t my time to relate. Today, and each time this post is read, it isn't my blog; it is the theirs, the survivors.
So I listened. I went back and read their stories again. This time without trying to relate.
I read about young women once held captive, now completing high school. They shared their desires to own homes, businesses, and have children. They talked about their favorite foods, colors, and music, some loving country, others hip hop. Many weren’t employed at BRANDED Collective for long, but still their story was shared because every initial ever used has a story. Each survivor gave advice. Powerful, life changing advice. Advice that I used and pocketed for those days when life just seems too much. And while each story is different, one thing resonated throughout them all.
HOPE. They hoped for more, but not only for themselves, for others as well.
I looked down at my wrist and ran my thumb across the PB stamped on my small copper cuff. Each piece of jewelry is stamped with the initials of the survivor that created the piece. For me there was an immediate connection to PB, not because we share a love of tropical flavors and the song “Chain Breaker”, but because her hands stamped my cuff. Her hands. Hands that I will probably never see or know. Hands that have endured a hardship I can’t even fathom. She was a part of me now. Each and every time I wear this cuff she will come with me. Her life, her fears, her hopes, and her dreams.
I then turned my cuff and stared at my own unique branded number. 24204. Victims of human trafficking are often times physically marked with a number or a symbol. BRANDED Collective gives each piece of jewelry its own unique number to identify you as a supporter in their efforts. My number 24204 means that over 24,000 people have purchased a piece of jewelry and because of this support BRANDED Collective is able to employee more survivors and more survivors are given hope.
BRANDED Collective working directly with End Slavery Tennessee is making changes in the lives of the survivors of human trafficking. These abused women are receiving the treatment they need to mentally and physically heal. They are gaining confidence and discovering their dreams aren't as far off as they once may have thought. It may seem small, but purchasing a piece of jewelry provides hope to beautiful, super heroes who may otherwise feel hopeless. Isn’t that alone a reason help??
You can shop the entire collection of jewelry HERE. Each piece is affordably priced from $20-$50 and every single piece is unique. After you have made your purchases and received your pieces you can head over here to find out who made your jewelry. BRANDED Collective even allows you to register your number and leave your message of hope to the survivors. My hope for you is that you will find a few pieces you love and every time you wear your jewelry you find yourself offering a message of hope to others.
PB, Thank you for the time it look you to stamp my cuff. When I look at it I see you shouting 'YES I CAN!"
Lauren and Emily, you're bringing light to a very dark corner where so many don't want to look. Thank you for your consistent efforts. You now know where to find me if you ever need me.
