On Saturday, January 21, 2017, women across the world marched together to protest injustice, lift each other up, and send the powerful message that women’s rights are human rights. Thanks to the combined efforts of millions of people, it was the largest single protest day in US history. From clever signs to a well-rehearsed song, marchers came prepared to fight for equality. As a plethora of pink hats stood out among the signs, songs, and crowds, it became clear that the hat would go down in history as a symbol of female power and unity.
Recognizing that the hat makes a strong statement, our Product Development team decided to incorporate it in a design that celebrates women. The Keep Marching Necklace is a wearable reminder that while there may not be an organized demonstration every day, the march for equality continues.
Keep Marching Necklace | UncommonGoods
The necklace was designed by women who wanted to not only create a beautiful piece, but also develop a product that could make a positive impact. With that in mind, $5 from the sale of each Keep Marching Necklace supports our longtime Better to Give partner RAINN. Since partnering in 2010, we’ve donated over $350,ooo to RAINN–the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization–and hope to grow that amount when you select RAINN at checkout (our $1 donation is at no cost to you) and through givebacks on designs like our Keep Marching and Hope Shines necklaces.
As we approach a series of Women’s Marches planned for January 20 and 21, 2018, we asked the women behind this necklace to share what the pink hat symbol means to them and why they keep marching.
2017 Women’s March in New York City
Why did you attend the Women’s March? What are you marching for?
To stand in solidarity with women, but also with people who have historically been marginalized, silenced, denied equal rights. I feel like the march was very much about showing up; showing the world that there is strength in numbers and that we may be individual people but collectively we can fight for equality and for our human rights. –Tiffany Jyang, Senior Product Developer
Why did the team decide to create a necklace featuring the iconic pink hat?
The pink hat was such a bold and striking symbol of the Women’s March. Looking back at photos from that day, it looks like miles and miles of pink yarn. We wanted to create something that all those women could wear all day, year-round as a reminder of the impact of that many women uniting together. The piece is pretty and warm (in a different way than the original knit hat!) and we hope it brings the person who wears it confidence, strength, and positivity. –Emily
The iconic pink hat that inspired our Keep Marching Necklace.
What does the symbol on the Keep Marching Necklace mean to you?
As with many of our original items, we try to create something that has an emotional connection and lasting meaning. Within UG we personally identify with the injustices and double standards that women experience–which culminated in millions of women coming together to march worldwide for democracy, equality, and women’s rights. The pink hat is something that is now an iconic symbol with lasting historic significance. –Carolyn Topp, Director of New Business and Product Development
How was the decision made to include a giveback with this product? Why RAINN?
RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, has been a longtime Better to Give partner. RAINN carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. Helping to provide additional support for this mission is a natural fit for the Keep Marching Necklace. Their mission is why millions of women need to speak out. –Carolyn
What words of encouragement do you offer to someone who is looking to become more active in the Women’s Rights Movement?
It’s important that women are advocates for themselves and their own rights. If not us, then who? The Women’s March gave us all such a clear way to add our little (but essential) imprint on a huge movement–and it was fun! I myself want to be more involved in various women’s rights activism not only for myself, but also for the women in my life who I love and respect. –Emily
UncommonGoods’ Senior Product Developer Tiffany Jyang marching in New York City.
Listen to, learn from, and support other women (and not just the ones you personally identify with!). Also, it’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough, or you’re not making a big enough impact. Do what you can but also remember to take time to recharge. It’s a lot of small steps and a long journey to make great change. I always go back to what Martin Luther King Jr. once said in a speech: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” –Tiffany
Keep Marching. Get the necklace here »
10 Comments
Because of your anti-woman, pro-abortion stance, I will never buy any thing from you again. I will speak your name only to tell others of your immoral platforms, and overpriced silly products.
I, too, am not pleased with your political views coming at me from what I considered a go-to place for smart and unique shopping. I will unsubscribe from receiving notices from Uncommongoods. I cannot support “p^ssy hats” and most of the issues that this group promotes. My shoes are quite different from those worn by the marchers and as such, I will take the fork in the road and wish you well.
Thank you for creating a beautiful and strong piece of jewelry for many women who believe we may all have different outlooks and beliefs in life but we are all still one human race and our differences don’t make us better or worse but beautiful in our own ways. We stand strong together with our differences, not weak. Thank you for creating positivity in our world. I will most definitely promote your message and continue to support your products. I hope you continue creating strength for our world.
Your company has given women and children a voice who may not have had one otherwise. You support unity and strength. You are part of a company that promotes open mindedness. Many of us hope you will continue your wonderful message. Thank you for creating this jewelry for the strong women in my life.
I was just giving your company a chance when you came out with this necklace. I’m glad I have not made a purchase if this is the mindset of uncommongoods. This vulgar “hat” represents vulgarity and is disgusting. I am a woman, have experienced sexual violence, and this hat, and group, does not represent me. This is disgusting. To think it’s a grand idea to match a vile hat with an anti-sexual violence organization is appalling. For the many more women (and men) who didn’t participate, this did not look like “strength and unity” for women, but rather ludicrous insanity. Plus, the real words spoken and actions at the march speak louder than the nice fluffy answers given in this Q&A. Adios locos
Thank all for your feedback on this story. It means a lot to us to receive positive comments about how our mission, and the work of our Better to Give partners like RAINN, makes a difference in the world. It’s important to us to approach issues that may be taken as controversial by some with full transparency. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t anticipate some disagreement with our stance when we decided to publicly support Women’s Marches and create a campaign around our Keep Marching necklace. So, why did we create this necklace, share it in honor of 2018 Women’s Marches, and decide to donate profits from it to RAINN? Because if we didn’t support causes we believe in, we wouldn’t be true to our values as a business. For many of us, the “pink hat” isn’t about a specific political party. It isn’t about a certain group of people. It’s a symbol that represents strength and unity. It represents masses coming together to demonstrate that we can make the world a better place. It’s not only a reminder of a history-making day, when hundreds of thousands stood for affordable birth control, equal pay for equal work, full access to health care for transgender Americans, and much more. It is also a reminder that the fight for equality isn’t over. This necklace was designed by women who marched, and keep marching, because actions and symbols have the power to reach people in ways that words cannot.
Yes yes yes yes YESSSSSS!
Thank you. We stand together and we won’t be silent until EVERYONE has a voice.
For those of you offended, peace be with you. I hope no one ever tries to silence your story, you are always paid equally for your work, and you always have access to healthcare.
If you find yourself in times of need, please come back. We march for you too, even if you can’t accept it now.
Thanks to all the marchers who represented me, and to those who choose to show support for the abuse of women. I’m an 81 year old who can say #Me Too! but can no longer march with you. I would love to wear one of the “pussy” hats but don’t get out much. But now I can wear the necklace. It surly fits into your support for artists, and for women/girls/boys as well.
Please take my name off your mailing list. Thank you.
I am glad to see Uncommon Goods supports such worthy causes with both money and support! I am proud to be a part of the women’s movement which will bring about the positive changes this country needs. Thank you!