Sanibel Islander Newspaper, Dec. 3, 2011

Zontians from Sanibel and Fort Myers turned out in force at the recent MADE by US Fashion Show, Sale and

Benefit held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers. The well-attended event featured fashion

designers, crafts people and women with small food and catering businesses. There were 22 vendors in all.

After shopping, visitors were treated to a fashion show and speakers including Christa Hicks from Beauty from

Ashes (a faith-based organization ministering to victims of the sex industry), Yaro Garcia from ACT (Abuse

Counseling And Treatment Inc., a service provider for survivors of domestic violence), Dr. Genelle Grant from

GRACE (Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children Education), and Nola Theiss from HTAP (Human Trafficking

Awareness Partnership Inc. HTAP combats human trafficking by educating young people, while GRACE is a

UUCFM project dedicated to improving the lives of Guatemalan women and their families through education.

Marta Matias, a mother of three who cleans houses for a living, was one of more than a dozen vendors selling

everything from crocheted and woven tops and shawls to hand-painted women’s golf gloves. Matias was recently

the subject of an article by Amy Bennett Williams in the

“[She] sits in a molded plastic chair creating – or recreating – the flora and fauna that filled her childhood in rural

Guatemala. With needle, thread, tiny beads and polished gems, she fashions necklaces, key chains, earrings and

more,” Bennett Williams wrote.

Canvasses painted by area students for HTAP’s ARTREACH project were on display at the event. ARTREACH

is designed to educate local children about the dangers of human trafficking through art and theater.

The event was the brainchild of Sanibel resident Gari Grant Lewis, who for years dreamed of putting on an event

that showcased the talents of women. “It was always my intention to someday feature and showcase fashions

designed and sewn by women,” Grant Lewis said. Also featured was jewelry made by the PACE Center for Girls,

another Zonta partner.

Grant Lewis and her sister, Dr. Genelle Grant, director for GRACE, had talked extensively about putting on an

event that would raise awareness surrounding projects combating violence against women. The idea crystallized

when she became a member of the Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva and a team member for the club’s service

partner, HTAP, Grant Lewis said. Both HTAP and GRACE are service projects funded by the Zonta Club of

Sanibel/Captiva.