Midweek mini-roundup: Women Making History
In honor of Women's History Month, we offer you a handpicked selection from our many feature stories about female artisans, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from around the world.
Read: Is France Making Planned Obsolescence Obsolete?
Spurred on by the often-lonely efforts of a young activist, Laetitia Vasseur, France has led the world in devising measures that force manufacturers to get back to yesteryear’s less wasteful model: making goods that are durable and repairable.
written by Yann Perreau
Read: When Indigenous Women Win
In the mountains of Michoacán, Mexico, a band of determined Purépecha women led the overthrow of a criminal cartel. Their victory revived the town’s traditional livelihood, and ushered in a model form of self-government.
written and photographed by Andrew Sullivan
Watch: Made in Prison
Luciana Delle Donne walked away from a comfortable life and a banking career in Milan because she envisioned a different kind of wealth, ‘measurable through social impact and resource savings, capable of bringing systemic change across the board.’” Returning to her hometown of Lecce, she launched a program that provides female inmates with the supplies, tools, and training they need to handcraft a range of goods—earning them both income and valuable job skills.
A Craftsmanship original mini-documentary film by Luisa Grosso
You’ll find many more stories of women making history, in craft, culture, and more, on our website.
ICYMI…
This week on “The Secrets of Mastery,” master woodworker, teacher, and author Gary Rogowoski returns to our show for a new episode: “In the Age of Manufacturing, Why Choose Handmade?”
In our Notes section, publisher Todd Oppenheimer reflects on the loss and legacy of legendary editor Bill Whitworth (who was also a valued, longtime advisor to this magazine).
Coming this Friday, our guest on “The Secrets of Mastery” will be Blake Riley, creative director at Arion Press and master letterpress printer (but don’t call him that!).
We’re still growing here on Substack and we’d love to hear what you think so far, along with any suggestions you may have. Please leave us a comment if you’re so inclined, or send us an email at publisher@craftsmanship.net.
Thank you for reading and sharing our stories, for supporting our work with a paid subscription if you can, and for being such a loyal part of the Craftsmanship community. We couldn’t do this without you.
Sincerely,
The Craftsmanship Team
Craftsmanship Magazine is a not-for-profit, all-digital multimedia publication that focuses on master artisans and innovators whose work informs our quest: to create a world built to last. On our website, you’ll find a rich archive of in-depth reported features, audio stories, photo essays, Field Notes, and documentary shorts—along with community resources like our Artisans’ Directory, our guide to U.S.-based craft & folk schools, and more—all free of ads and free of charge.
“The Secrets of Mastery” is our new series of brief, intimate conversations with artisans, innovators, and other pioneers about what it takes to master their craft. It’s available for paid subscribers, only here on Substack.
For just $6/month or $60/year, get access to the entire series, including previous episodes, along with other new features we have in the works. Please join us!