The Women Behind Pearls With Purpose

When we first encountered Wendy Bird of Pearls With Purpose at a Women’s Conference, we were very intrigued by her story and how she began her pearl business. You can read her interview in our latest issue no. 25 starting on p. 48.

In the magazine, all you see may only be the beautiful pearl jewelry, but there are so much more behind each jewelry piece, handcrafted by women in impoverished areas of the world, who needed despearately to find a means to support their family. Wendy makes trips throughout the year to visit these individuals to teach and guide them. “My heart was full of joy and appreciation for all these women continue to accomplish in their work and personal lives. I marvel at who they are becoming as each quarter passes. Small hurdles every day have turned into mountainous accomplishments each month!” said Wendy.

During one of her visits to India, she was looking for a new person to fill a pearlologist position at the co-op, and encountered a woman named Shanti (pictured above), who came for an interview. Shanti had a considerable limp because of her leg, which she learned later that it was from a bus accident that tore her leg muscles when she was 13 and forced her to drop out from school. She had two boys, ages 8 and 4, and her husband biked far to Pondecherry, a tourist town, every day to sell bangles. But later found out that her husband is also an alcoholic, who comes home drunk every day and spends all their earnings on himself. Her mother-in-law who lives with them always defends and takes her son’s side. She is an orphan with no family. Her children starve and she has to beg from neighbors for food. She says with this job, she will be able to feed her husband and children. Touched by her story, they decided to train her and hired her on the spot. Wendy was grateful that Shanti was brave and strong enough to assert herself and request a job, despite her handicap, for the sake of her family.

Shanti’s story was only one of many behind the pearls created through Pearls with Purpose. We are so grateful to be able to partner with them to help spread their story. If you’re still looking for jewelry for your wedding day, we hope you’d consider shopping with Pearls with Purpose.