NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It's fitting that a woman who forged a career path in a male-dominated world would lend a hand to other women trying to do the same in their own way.
Read past Making A Difference stories
That's what Ann Walling, retired assistant rector from Nashville's St. David's Episcopal Church, has done. It's might be hard to believe that a story in Cambodia, which ends with mothers and their children saying thank you to Nashville, can be traced to beautiful scarves and a small room in St. David's.
"Every strand is run through by hand. It's totally, totally handmade," said Walling. "This is Chan Tha Nguan, and she is the magical woman who is just the genius behind all this."
What Nguan did was start a business in Cambodia in 2002, employing the ancient art of silk weaving, where women trying to escape the region's brutal sex trade could weave their way into freedom for themselves and their children.
"How long would it take to make this scarf?" asked Channel 4's Bob Sellers.
"I believe that Chan Tha told me it would take about three weeks," said Walling. "Each weaver has a loom."
A year ago, Walling held a fashion show at St. David's to help launch bluesilk.org , where the scarves could be bought and the money sent to the women in Cambodia.
It's a big success, putting hundreds to work. It helped pay for a school for the children and give the women their own business.
"Women (in Cambodia) don't have the opportunity, don't have any entrepreneurial opportunities in Cambodia, really," said Walling.
She said there's a saying in Cambodia: Man is gold, and woman is a skirt.
"Our motto is, 'Man is gold, woman is a diamond,'" Walling said. "They're helping us shine."
Related Links:
Blue Silk
Stung Treng Women's Development Centre & mekong blue
If you know someone who is making a difference in Middle Tennessee, e-mail makingadifference@wsmv.com.
Read past Making A Difference stories
That's what Ann Walling, retired assistant rector from Nashville's St. David's Episcopal Church, has done. It's might be hard to believe that a story in Cambodia, which ends with mothers and their children saying thank you to Nashville, can be traced to beautiful scarves and a small room in St. David's.
"Every strand is run through by hand. It's totally, totally handmade," said Walling. "This is Chan Tha Nguan, and she is the magical woman who is just the genius behind all this."
What Nguan did was start a business in Cambodia in 2002, employing the ancient art of silk weaving, where women trying to escape the region's brutal sex trade could weave their way into freedom for themselves and their children.
"How long would it take to make this scarf?" asked Channel 4's Bob Sellers.
"I believe that Chan Tha told me it would take about three weeks," said Walling. "Each weaver has a loom."
A year ago, Walling held a fashion show at St. David's to help launch bluesilk.org , where the scarves could be bought and the money sent to the women in Cambodia.
It's a big success, putting hundreds to work. It helped pay for a school for the children and give the women their own business.
"Women (in Cambodia) don't have the opportunity, don't have any entrepreneurial opportunities in Cambodia, really," said Walling.
She said there's a saying in Cambodia: Man is gold, and woman is a skirt.
"Our motto is, 'Man is gold, woman is a diamond,'" Walling said. "They're helping us shine."
Related Links:
Blue Silk
Stung Treng Women's Development Centre & mekong blue
If you know someone who is making a difference in Middle Tennessee, e-mail makingadifference@wsmv.com.
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