Profiles/Workers’ Stories

Martha Chen interview with alma mater Connecticut College

Connecticut College interviews two alumnae: Marty Chen, International Coordinator of WIEGO, and her mother, Barbara “Barry” Beach...

Small World, Big Goals: A Home-Based Garment Worker in Delhi

From her Delhi home, Farida-ben embroiders garments for foreign retailers. Denied an education and other options, she has done this work...

Location, Location, Location: The Life of a Refugee Street Barber in Durban, South Africa

Choma Choma Nalushaka made an arduous journey from war-torn Congo to South Africa—then waited years for his family to join him. He has established...

Gaining Ground: The Cooperative Life of a Smallholder in Uganda

With lives and livelihoods governed by so many forces beyond their control, women coffee producers like Jenipher Wettaka know it takes more...

God is My Alarm Clock: A Brazilian Waste Picker’s Story

The story of an informal worker, Mrs. Maria Brás, who was a tireless force in the struggle of waste pickers in Brazil to overcome persecution...

Deus é meu Despertador

Série Vida dos Trabalhadores. Dona Maria Brás foi uma força incansável na luta das cooperativas de catadores brasileiros contra a perseguição...

Headstrong: Profile of a Headloader in Ahmedabad, India

A leader among headloaders in Ahmedabad’s busy textile market, Shanta Bababahi Bhalerao knows firstand how belonging to the growing...

Domestic Workers: Organizing the Patience Industry

Camarada Albertina Mundlovo is a domestic worker in Maputo, Mozambique. An Indian Ocean port city, Maputo is Mozambique’s largest economic...

Organizando a Indústria da Paciência: Perfil de uma Trabalhadora Doméstica em Maputo, Moçambique

How to Hit Women’s Economic Empowerment Targets: First ensure women can recognize their own dignity and self worth

Valdete Roza is a Brazilian waste picker and leader in her cooperative who is pioneering gender discussions with her colleagues across her...