Stitch Buffalo's new black-and-white peace pins, stitched by Ser Eh Paw (originally from Burma), Mandari (originally from Bhutan), and Zi Ram (originally from Burma). 

Stitch Buffalo's mini peace pins, stitched by Ser Eh Paw (originally from Burma), Mandari (originally from Bhutan), and Zi Ram (originally from Burma).

Peace Pins for Social Justice

Stitch Buffalo’s mini peace pins are a symbol of our commitment to advancing social justice for Black, Brown, Refugee, Immigrant, and other underrepresented people. Each pin is hand-embroidered by an artist in Stitch Buffalo's Refugee Women's Workshop—and each is one of a kind, like the woman who created it.

Every pin purchased benefits both the woman who stitched it and our social justice fund, dedicated to supporting programs and organizations that strive to make our communities equitable for all. 

Why Peace Pins?

The peace sign has evolved to be regarded as a universal symbol of the widest ideals of happiness, harmony, tranquility, the ability to express oneself among others without conflict, and an overall state of justice and goodness. We believe this simple symbol represents humanity’s highest ideals—unity, inclusion, and acceptance—and is a potent message to share at this moment in history.

Meet the Stitchers

At Stitch Buffalo, our Refugee Women's Workshop is a thriving community of women from primarily Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Thailand, and Angola. Over 200 women have participated in the Refugee Women's Workshop, with about 80 to 90 artists typically being active at any given time. The artists featured below are just two of the many resettled Refugee women working on this project. 

Featured
Dah John
Dah John

Dah John came to Buffalo over ten years ago, but spent eight years in a refugee camp in Thailand after leaving Burma. “I come to Stitch when my boys are at school. The extra money I earn is very helpful to my family.” Portrait by Luke Copping.

Mu Mu
Mu Mu

Mu Mu says she sewed every day in her home country of Burma. “I do lots of embroidery. I make scarves, elephants, and birds. Stitch helps me make money. I can take my work home with me and take care of my daughter.” Portrait by Luke Copping.

All About the Pins

PRODUCT DETAILS: Our black-and-white peace pins are 1.5 inches in diameter, making them easy to wear on a lapel, pin to a hat, or even display on your tote bag. They are constructed using black and white felt, then embellished by hand with cotton embroidery floss and (depending on the design) accented with beads. Each artist creates her own design, so no two are alike. The pins are packaged on cards describing the program and signed by the artist.

Each pin is packaged on a card describing the program and signed by the artist.

Each pin is packaged on a card describing the program and signed by the artist.

PROGRAM DETAILS: The pins retail for $15 each, and are available at our store/studio or online. Our goal is to sell 1000 pins and raise money for social justice groups in and around Buffalo, NY.

We also welcome inquiries from individuals and retailers interested in helping to sell pins in their workplaces or at other community gatherings. For social justice organizations outside of Western New York, we are happy to partner on helping you raise funds in your own community through the sale of our peace pins. Contact info@stitchbuffalo.org to discuss the details.

Artist Hkawng Lung (originally from Burma) shares a peace sign next to a peace pin she stitched. Hkawng received her first-ever paycheck from Stitch Buffalo, at the age of 70.

Artist Hkawng Lung (originally from Burma) shares a peace sign next to a peace pin she stitched. Hkawng received her first-ever paycheck from Stitch Buffalo, at the age of 70.