Opportunity Threads
Ever since 1999, when Maggie's President, Bená Burda helped a group of hurricane victims form a worker-owned sewing cooperative in Nicaragua (The Fair Trade Zone), she had hoped to one day bring the idea home, where so many US apparel workers have lost their livelihood. In the summer of 2007, while presenting at a workshop in Asheville, Bená met the folks from SACCO (Southern Appalachian Center for Cooperative Ownership/ Ownership Appalachia), and they agreed to help her turn Maggie's dream of a domestic sewing cooperative into a reality.

Molly Hemstreet of SACCO made the connection with the workers, all from Morganton, North Carolina, one of the many towns in the Southeast with boarded up apparel mills and talented workers. Maggie's took thousands of pairs of extra socks, partnered with SACCO and the motivated workers, and through many design incarnations, came up with Maggie's Sock Monkeys.

The Sock Monkeys, designed and made from our slightly irregular Crew socks, were an immediate hit, and so a "Maggie's Menagerie" line began to grow. Penguins were next, as we had an abundance of off-spec Lounge Pants (in Black) and Baby Bodysuits (in Natural). Our wildly popular Tie Dye Legwarmers make the perfect Penguin cap. The animal line has continued to grow: The Barnyard Series launched in summer 2009, with Chickens, Sheep, Cows, and Pigs - all adorable and creatively designed by the working members of Opportunity Threads. More new animals are on their way, and private label is available.

The worker/members are the real story here. They are talented, committed, and are putting it all on the line every day for the chance to build their own business. We are more impressed each day with their creativity and ability to rise to each new challenge. There is much left to do to make this project a success, but it continues to be a source of pride for us all. They have aptly named their new business Opportunity Threads, and we are proud to be their partner