Today is my favorite day of the year, International Women’s Day, a 24 hour celebration of badass women all over the world. But in reality, it should be rebranded as International Women’s Week or Month or Year! Women make this world go round and we deserve to be highlighted, recognized and appreciated every single day! My name is Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski and I am a textile artist and the main lady behind Sew Loka, a sustainable sewing studio and Chicana-inspired streetwear brand located in the vibrant neighborhood of Barrio Logan, San Diego, CA. I created Sew Loka to empower everyone everywhere to take control of their own clothing and to create their own fashion, by teaching them how to sew and showing them cool, creative ways to incorporate fabric scraps into their thrifted style. Through Sew Loka, I have spent the last decade demystifying the sewing machine for the next generation and protesting against corporate fast fashion and its unapologetic exploitation of women workers around the world.

But Sew Loka would not exist today without the support of the San Diego art community. They have had my back since day one, and they are the fuel that keeps Sew Loka’s fire burning bright. Without them, our flame would have burned out a long time ago. No business, artist or entrepreneur can do it alone; you need the people around you to keep the desire and passion within you lit, and it sounds cliche, but it really does take a village. But never forget that it is always a two way street, the community gives, but you must also give back and support them the way they support you.

We are living through challenging times, and female artists and entrepreneurs everywhere need our support now more than ever. It is important that we continue to lift them up because they are on the front lines resisting against the status quo and taking control of their own destiny, and we desperately need that strong, positive energy right now. So when you see women out there starting their own small businesses and promoting their own products and creating their own meaningful art, please support them! It is not easy and they are all fighting an uphill battle, so we must stick together and do our part to share each other stories and shop each others shops, as a way of pushing back and keeping the flame of female artistry and entrepreneurship alive and shining bright for many generations to come.

Thank you for listening and see you at the WNDR Museum San Diego for the International Women’s Day Market on Saturday, March 8th from 7pm-10pm featuring an incredible lineup of all female entrepreneurs and artistas! Lets show up and show them our support!!!