About Women in Progress and Global Mamas

Women in Progress, a cooperative that began in 2003, works to create economic independence and alleviate poverty at the grassroots level. It operates by aiding in the growth of small women-owned businesses while creating a mutual understanding among people of different cultures through its volunteer program.

The philosophy behind the Women in Progress project is that the best way to improve the standard of living for those living in poverty is by assisting in the development and expansion of women-owned businesses to generate new jobs and increase income levels of women.

Women in Progress believes that producing self-sufficient micro and small businesses is the means to achieving economic justice and globalization of free markets. Similarly, creating a sense of global citizenship based on social justice is best achieved at the grassroots level by advancing women’s human rights and promoting cross-cultural understanding through volunteerism. Women in Progress is committed to implementing grassroots solutions to global challenges by advocating economic development and social change.

To do this, Women in Progress has pulled together a variety of individual batikers, seamstresses, bead-makers and jewelry designers into a cooperative that sells their products in a shop in Cape Coast called Global Mamas and online at http://www.globalmamas.org. By helping the women with business development, international trade, training, and support, Women in Progress and Global Mamas are able to decrease the poverty level in Ghana and give women the means to become self-sufficient.

By utilizing willing volunteers in the program, the Women in Progress program is able to make the most of a variety of inputs from volunteers from all over the world. Their international volunteer programs focus on assisting women in Africa to grow their micro enterprises through business and IT consulting and training. This enables volunteers to employ the skills they have previously retained to benefit others and better understand cultural aspects of Ghana.

The Women in Progress program was initially created by two women who created the Progressive Women’s Credit Union of Cape Coast, Renae Adam and Kristen Johnston.

In the future, Renae and Kristen hope to turn the entire cooperative over to Ghanaians.