New Yorker Francine LeFrak, multiple Tony, Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer, has stirred the conscience of modern society. As a social issue film producer, her productions have helped to turn the tide on a range of crucial issues such as the scourge of AIDS, the price of intolerance, the ravages of war and the injustices of the prison system.
LeFrak's films have propelled her to become a social entrepreneur. In fact, she spent eight and a half years developing a script on the Rwanda genocide but when Hotel Rwanda hit theaters the film never proceeded to fruition.
Nevertheless, LeFrak still felt compelled to shed light on the genocide and in particular the women survivors who were left-behind. Her passion was furthered as an active member of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard’s Kennedy School where she studied women in public policy and soon discovered that Rwanda was the leading country in gender issue where the government consisted of more women than men.
In 2008, LeFrak founded the social enterprise Same Sky, a trade-not-aid initiative that provides employment to women living with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda and Zambia offering them a hand-up, not a hand-out.
Same Sky’s mission is to provide women the tools to lift themselves out of poverty and lead self sustaining lives by not only implementing artisan training, but providing access to a viable platform for the sale and distribution of their products.
"Beyond sheer financial impact, Same Sky artisans are also supported emotionally. Through their employment, their dignity has been restored and their dreams and goals that they thought once were lost are now achievable, explains LeFrak.
"Working in a collective, these women - the majority of whom are HIV positive - no longer feel alone and have a place to share and discuss their issues. A job gives them the confidence they need, skills they can carry with them forever and a new-found standing as a role model to their children and surrounding community. They now have mattresses to sleep on and bank accounts - the very basics they never thought they'd have."
Today, LeFrak is fully dedicated to serving Same Sky as its founder, president and visionary. She also serves as Same Sky’s spokesperson in promoting the ethical shopping movement - standing for products that are handmade, possess authenticity and support artisan communities around the globe that give back.
Connect with Same Sky on their Web site, on Twitter and Facebook.
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