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On International Women’s Day, March 8, Gap introduced “One Stitch Closer,” a new program that extends Gap’s long-standing commitment of supporting women. At the center of the program is Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) program, which will expand to provide education and training to even more of the women who make the company’s clothes. One Stitch Closer will share the stories, ideas, accomplishments and challenges of these women and other change agents, who focus on making themselves and the world better every day.
One Stitch Closer will include the release of a six-part eponymous film series by director/cinematographer Rachel Morrison featuring six exceptional women. Among others, the series features a garment worker and P.A.C.E. program participant from Indonesia, a poet and youth advocate from Los Angeles, and a 19-year-old woman who is using her passion for science and technology to better detect breast cancer. By “stitching” the individual films together into a year-long series, these personal journeys remind us that women are the very fabric that keeps the world together. Starting in early March, the films will be available for viewing at Good.is, Gap.com and youtube.com/gap.
As a tribute on March 8, Gap changed all logos on Gap.com and the Gap social channels to purple, the official color of International Women’s Day. Additionally, Gap will create and sell a special edition purple t-shirt featuring a quote by poet and film subject, Azure Antoinette: “The way to inspire change is to recognize the wisdom of a woman.” Gap will donate $10,000 from the sale of this merchandise to CARE, a P.A.C.E. partner that provides implementation and training support for the program. Customers can learn more about One Stitch Closer, as well as the inspiring women in its film series, through the signage in Gap stores where the t-shirt is sold and by following #womeninspire on Gap social media channels.
About P.A.C.E.
In 2007, Gap Inc. launched P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) for the women that make our clothes. Through P.A.C.E., women gain the life skills education and technical training needed to advance at work and in life. Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. operates in seven countries and, to date, more than 25,000 women have participated in the program. In 2013, the program expanded to 24 villages throughout India and Cambodia where women could benefit from the education and training. Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. will continue to expand in 2014, including into communities in Bangladesh, Haiti, and Indonesia. To learn more, visit bewhatspossible.com/pace.
About CARE
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year CARE worked in 84 countries and reached 83 million people around the world. To learn more, visit www.care.org.