BVMs Join Coalition Against Human Trafficking to Host Presentation

Chris Cox , campaign manager of The Human Thread, will explore this question in a presentation at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 27, at Clarke University’s Jansen Music Hall, 1550 Clarke Dr., Dubuque, Iowa. Hosted by the Coalition Against Human Trafficking in the Tri-State Area, the event is free and open to the public.

Long committed to faith-based advocacy and the work of justice, Cox will reflect with others on where our clothing comes from and how living in right relationship with our brothers and sisters on distant continents helps us to lead more joyful, faith-filled lives.

Coalition member Diane Rapozo, BVM (Malia) shares, “The Human Thread seeks to raise consciousness and empower people to advocate for the plight of garment workers worldwide. We are grateful to have Chris Cox come to the Dubuque area to speak. The BVM community has graciously provided Chris with hospitality.”

After 16 years of working in multicultural, low-income parishes in the United States and Latin America, Cox began to manage The Human Thread campaign last year, an outgrowth in part from the Bangladesh clothing factory fire which killed more than 1,100 people and injured 2,000 more. The workers were paid $50 per month.

BVM Irene Lukefahr, another member of the Coalition, says, “Sometimes I wonder about the working conditions and wages of those who labor to make most of the clothes I wear. Many of our BVM sisters and staff signed some of the 8,000 postcards from The Human Thread organization, sent to retailers Kohl’s and Macy’s, urging them to develop an apparel brand that pays a just wage. Hopefully, this one small effort on our part will help make a difference for those victims of labor trafficking.”

Cox will offer analysis and suggestions about how consumer choices impact the lives of so many who are often invisible to us and outline some decisions that can help us stand in solidarity with some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

The Coalition Against Human Trafficking in the Tri-State Area is a faith-based network that began at the request of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), encouraging all religious community members and associates to work together against human trafficking through education and advocacy.

For more information contact:

Joy Peterson, PBVM
608-748-4411, ext. 164
jpeterson@sinsinawa.org

Post date 2.13.17