Inspiration

Becca Stevens

In 2015 I had the opportunity to have tea with Becca Stevens. I had been following her work and was moved by the energy in her writings. When I heard she was going to be coming to St. John’s Episcopal Church for a justice tea party and talk, I knew I had to attend.

Becca Stevens is an author, speaker, priest, social entreprenuer, founder and president of Thistle Farms. In 1997 she opened Thistle Farms and began to build a community for women who had experienced trafficking, violence, and addiction. Women receive housing, medical care, therapy, and education for two years. They earn income through one of the social enterprises Thistle Farms’ global market employs more than 1,800 women worldwide, and the national network has more than 40 sister communities. In 2015 Becca Stevens was sharing her fourth book, The Way of Tea and Justice: Rescuing the World’s Favorite Beverage from its Violent History, and the story of Thistle Farms.

Standing barefoot in front of us, Becca shared the stories collected from women’s experiences – years of struggling and healing. Stories of human trafficking and the destructive cycle of prostitution and violence. Under all of the stories was the spirit of hope. The hope that is within the survivors, the hope within herself, but also the hope she engendered in me. The hope that each of us can get involved and help stop human trafficking around the world. That, with true generosity and love, each of us can take one step to positively impact the lives of others. Our purchasing power is one way to do just that. What we buy, what we sell, it all has a footprint. Who sources it, who makes it, who profits from it, it all matters. Some day I hope to be able to sit in the Thistle Stop Cafe and have a cup of tea. Until then I will continue to support the work by: