The Speak Up Collection: Jewelry Featuring Wise Words by Women Icons
Stacey Bowers
So often when we’re at a loss for words, we look to those already spoken by people we admire. This collection of handmade jewelry features inspiring quotes by feminist women we look up to, including Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Laverne Cox and Hillary Rodham Clinton. (A couple of them even have Arkansas ties!) Keep a strong mantra close to your heart with these hand-crafted necklaces that are available in bronze and sterling silver on 14k gold-filled and sterling silver chains.
Which quotes are featured in our Speak Up Collection?
“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks” … as in leave tracks for others to follow. - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“Who you are authentically is alright” - Laverne Cox
“Choose people who lift you up” - Michelle Obama
“Women’s right are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights” - Hillary Rodham Clinton
“Nothing will work unless you do” - Maya Angelou
“Change takes courage” - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
I started making this collection in the spring of 2022, before the devastating overturning of Roe v. Wade, and after the news I felt even more the need to hold tokens of strength, hope and change close to me, especially because I live in a state with generally drastically different views from my own, where the legislature is constantly threatening human rights. Above all, in naming this the “speak up” collection, my hope is to start conversations.
Leave Tracks RBG Quote Necklace
“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks” … as in leave tracks for others to follow your work and built on it. - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This RBG quote encourages you to let others build on the work you’re doing, and reminds us that change sometimes takes time, but it also makes me think about all the organizations out there who have already been laying the foundation and doing the work to make the change you want to see. Be sure to seek out the effective, grassroots organizations in your area, support them, and follow their tracks before you set out completely from scratch on your own.
This pendant pressed with a powerful RBG quote and a set of footprints measures approximately one inch across and is available in bronze or sterling silver. The chain is 20 inches long and the clasp fastens onto any link in the chain, so you can wear it longer or shorter. Silver chains are sterling silver and gold chains are 14k gold-filled. As with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions.
Who You Are Authentically Laverne Cox Quote Necklace
“Who you are authentically is alright” - Laverne Cox
The diamond shape of this handmade necklace featuring a powerful quote by trans actress and icon Laverne Cox is complemented by two tiny Herkimer diamonds (double-pointed quartz crystals) on each side, a nod to the adage that diamonds are formed under pressure. This necklace is available in sterling silver with a sterling silver chain or bronze with a 14k gold-filled chain. These necklaces are about 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions. The pendant part of the necklace measures about 1 inch across.
Nothing Will Work Unless You Do Maya Angelou Quote Necklace
“Nothing will work unless you do” - Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou holds a special place in the heart of Arkansans, as she spent part of her childhood in Stamps, Arkansas. This handmade pendant features an especially motivational Angelou quote to remind us to work hard for the change we want to make and is accented with a floral motif and a bird as a nod to her book of poetry “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” The pendant measures about 1 inch across and is available in bronze or sterling silver on a sterling silver or 14k gold-filled chain. The chain is 20 inches long and the clasp fastens onto any link in the chain, so you can wear it longer or shorter. Silver chains are sterling silver and gold chains are 14k gold-filled. As with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions.
Choose People Who Lift You Up Michelle Obama Quote Necklace
“Choose people who lift you up” - Michelle Obama
First Lady, author, activist and icon Michelle Obama was speaking of her daughters with this quote encouraging them to choose partners who lift them up rather than drag them down, but this quote spoke to me far beyond the romantic connotations. Even in friendships, work partnerships and family relationships, it’s so important to be there for the people who are there for you— for the people who want more FOR you and don’t stand in the way of who you are authentically, try to control you or use you for personal gain. For me, it’s a personal mantra of self-care to hold close those who hold me close for the right reasons. This handmade necklace features a pendant with Michelle Obama’s words encircled in a twisted, decorative frame like a work of art.
This necklace is available in sterling silver with a sterling silver chain or bronze with a 14k gold-filled chain. The entire necklace is about 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can make them longer with extensions.
Change Takes Courage AOC Quote Necklace
“Change takes courage” - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
If anyone has the courage to make change, it’s U.S. representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I’m constantly in awe of her ferocity and strength, which is why I paired her quote with an anatomical heart, the symbolic source of courage and bravery. These pendants measure approximately 3/4 inch across and are available in sterling silver with a sterling silver chain and bronze with a 14k gold-filled chain. Chains are 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can add extenders.
Women’s Rights are Human Rights HRC Quote Necklace
“Women’s right are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights” - Hillary Rodham Clinton
I’ve heard this quote said so many times by so many people, and only recently I learned that Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke it in a 1995 speech. Almost 30 years later, it’s still extremely pertinent. With this pendant, I played off the mirror-like effect of the words with a reversible, framed, mirror-shaped pendant, where one side says “women’s rights are human rights” and the backside says “and human rights are women’s rights.” These pendants measures about one inch long and are available in bronze on a 14k gold-filled chain or sterling silver on a sterling silver chain. Chains are 18 inches long, and as with all of our necklaces, we can add extenders.
Bang-Up Betty is snarky, meaningful, well-made jewelry made in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as feminist pins, stickers and gifts. Since 2013, Bang-Up Betty has been crafting custom and personalized jewelry and other quirky, nerdy and feminist necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Shop Bang-Up Betty’s unique Arkansas-made jewelry through our “jewelry and stickers” tab, where you can also order custom name necklaces, mantra cuff bracelets, stamped key tags and more. Thank you for voting Bang-Up Betty “Best Artisan” for handmade jewelry in the Arkansas Times’ Best of Arkansas nine years in a row and “Best Gift Shop” in Arkansas in 2022!
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