When a Logo is a Celebration
There were a few dances where women would stretch out their arms, sort of roll their wrists and point their fingertips up, and then sway/stomp from side to side.
2013
It was unlike any church service I’d ever been to—the farthest thing from church I’d experienced in the states. We’d walked a couple miles to get there. It lasted for hours. I couldn’t understand much of it, but it moved me spiritually, emotionally, challenged my beliefs, and opened me up to the wondrous range of humanity.
What I still hold onto today, and what influenced the logo for The Women’s Bakery, was the dancing. That Sunday, congregants of all age groups—the youngest children to the oldest widows, danced with a sort of confidence, a strength that comes with tradition and deep knowledge. It wasn’t a showy dance that people do at clubs or parties. It wasn’t self-aware, like so many of us do who never took dance lessons. It wasn’t sexual or silly—it was neither perfect nor performative. It was a storytelling sort of dance that isn’t about the dancer, but about the tradition. I’ve not seen dancing like this before. It was honest and simple. It was bold.
There were a few dances where women would stretch out their arms, sort of roll their wrists and point their fingertips up, and then sway/stomp from side to side. The rocking was like they were on a boat or paddle board—slow and subtle. Markey explained to me that this dance celebrates the harvest, and is performed at weddings and important ceremonies. The extended arms represented cow horns, a symbol of the animal so integral to their farming culture. The dance took on the form of the cow to celebrate the bounty.
When Markey asked me to design the logo for The Women’s Bakery, it was that sense of joyous abundance that I wanted to capture. Instead of a more literal loaf of bread or a shaft of wheat, I wanted the logo to embody the essence of joy that the dancers showed me at church that day. I wanted it to convey that steady, strong sway the women exhibited in their movements. I wanted the logo to honor their tradition. I didn’t want it to be about the bread, but about the celebration.
From what I understand, the first group of women who saw the logo cheered and clapped, and started dancing immediately.
I’ve been doing creative work for over a decade now, with lots of non-profits, b-corps and small businesses, and it’s so fulfilling. But I’m still humbled every time I see a picture of a women in East Africa wearing a shirt with that logo on it. I’m amazed each time I review a new batch of photos of strong women baking bread. I love the new creative challenges TWB brings to me as they grow and change. I’m in awe when I hear stories of villages who have gained access to breads and steady income, and changed households because of The Women’s Bakery. And I’m proud when donors catch the excitement and support the work.
My experience at that church reminded me that we’re all here on this earth, celebrating small, ordinary things—like a harvest—that are truly big things. And that’s what The Women’s Bakery is all about. It’s about a simple loaf of bread, changing the life of a woman forever. I’m so honored to be a part of that.
Music & Bread: Reflections on 'Bread Beats' in Boulder
'Bread Beats' was a resounding success; with music from Emily Robinson, stories about TWB, and other power-house women in the audience, bread power definitely came to life!
Earlier this month, TWB partnered with Emily Scott Robinson to promote our work in the Boulder, Colorado area. Our team facilitated a benefit concert at Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place, not far from the University of Colorado - Boulder campus. The evening provided a space to celebrate the achievements of TWB throughout the summer, and to also connect our work in East Africa to our supporters in the United States. Emily, an old friend of Markey Culver's from Furman College, willingly hosted the benefit concert because of her belief in women, education, and opportunity.
Lorien Dancer, a JeffCo Open Secondary School student, has been interning with TWB as an advocate for our work at her school (since June 2016) and helped coordinate the fundraiser with Emily.
While reflecting on the evening, Lorien noted that, "...one of the major themes for this night was stories. Stories about The Women’s Bakery, stories about women, and stories that were created in the magical mind of the very talented musician, Emily Scott Robinson."
Lorien said, "there was a feel in the room of acceptance, warmth, joy and a comfort... Emily's voice was magical, her playing inspirational and her lyrics were like poetry. I can’t stop listening to her songs and I have no doubt that she and her music will go far!"
Indeed, it was a special night for everyone involved, and TWB would like to thank Emily, attendees, the Boulder community, and all the work of TWB interns & volunteers to make this work happen. The event involved other local artists (like Renee Saunders) and an opening show from Lindsay Kilpatrick, and so truly, it was a community effort. What better way to celebrate bread power?
Thank you all for being a part of our story - and for sharing it with others too. Let's continue to rise together!
