Radical Grandma Collective

This *is* your grandma's scarf, and it's RADICAL

These are not your average scarves, and the weavers are not your average grandmas. The Radical Grandma Collective sells hand-made, high quality, stylish scarves made in Na Nong Bong, a small mountain village in northeast Thailand. When you buy one of these scarves, you’re not just getting another accessory, you are supporting strong, gutsy, and smart women.

Not only are these radical grandmas talented weavers, they are also activists and community organizers. Ten years ago, a gold mine was built near their community, polluting the water, making villagers sick, and contaminating their farmland. These women, as well as many other villagers, have been tirelessly protesting the mine and standing up for their community rights ever since.

What can a scarf do?
A lot, actually. Na Nong Bong villagers have already devoted countless hours and resources to fighting the mine, but they still need to support themselves financially. A steady source of income means that these women can spend more time using their talents for community activism. One scarf takes 6 hours to make, but its earnings cover 2 days of living expenses for a Na Nong Bong weaver.

Don't Mess with Grandma
These grandmas are up against a lot. When the mine leaked cyanide and other dangerous chemicals into local streams, villagers discovered that they had dangerous levels of cyanide in their blood. They can no longer drink their own water, as they had always done before. The mining company even tried to sue villagers for slander because they protested the mine. Despite all this, they continue to fight.