Everyday Activism with Soleil Moon Frye
Soleil Moon Frye on the Weleda biodiesel truck. Photos: Meeno Photo; Home Page Photos: Women’s Conference. Part Two of Five.
Last week, I spoke with entrepreneur Soleil Moon Frye about her eco-boutique, The Little Seed, as well as her work with Weleda’s “Honestly Natural, Truly Beauty” national mobile tour in support the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. This week, Soleil, who was a speaker at Maria Shriver’s 2010 The Women’s Conference, reveals how she became an everyday activist.
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff: So just a few of the things that I learned on the Weleda bio-diesel truck today: It’s crazy to me that in Europe more than a thousand chemicals are banned from personal care products because they can cause things like cancer or birth defects, and only 10 of those ingredients are banned in the U.S.
Soleil Moon Frye: It’s amazing. I love our country, but—I do a lot of work with the Alzheimer’s Association and when you look at what other countries have in place. It’s like, come on, let’s learn from each other here!
RLS: What do you think we can do about it?
SMF: We have to start dialogues, ask questions, write letters. We have to become that generation of activists who are saying we want it to be the norm that our products are safe! But how do we find the balance? My family makes jokes because here we have our eco-friendly foods but we also have treats and candy. But it’s so interesting because my kids will eat their vegetables and have a piece of candy but then I have friends who don’t give their kids any sugar and really live that green life—
RLS: And all they want to do is eat candy.
SMF: Exactly. It’s a total juxtaposition. But it doesn’t mean that we have to attack people or take everything that we own and throw it out. My partner [at The Little Seed] Paige, her son had extreme eczema. She realized that her environment was incredibly toxic and threw out everything. And that’s amazing, but not everyone has the luxury to do that.
So how do we find the balance? We can write a million letters. We can stand up. We can shout at the top of our lungs. We are the generation of activists who can create so much change. I truly believe that.
Beauty products are one thing. Toys are another. It runs the gamut. If we can make it easy enough, people will see that they can make money from creating healthy products. It should be affordable. Everyone should be able to create a healthy environment for their little ones. That’s why teaming up with Target was a dream come true for me! We were able to literally make an organic product that we could give to people across the globe.
RLS: I agree, I really think it starts with us as consumers. I always say you can change a woman’s mind with nail polish or lipstick.
SMF: Yes. So true! I just got my nails done. Look, formaldehyde-free!
RLS: And when someone says, “Great color,” you can say, “Thanks and did you know you can check yours at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics?” I’m always spreading that information around. That’s the everyday activism you’re talking about.
SMF: Exactly. Everyday activism, exactly. Connecting to women are just starting out, as well as somebody like you who is really living it.
RLS: My kids have Barbies, too. I just want you to know!
SMF: Of course! We have our amazing Roo toys, but then there’s Barbie. It has to be a balance. You want to encourage people, and that includes your children. We’re so lucky that we have the options: No VOC paint, organic kids’ clothes—90% of my second baby’s stuff is hand-me-downs. It doesn’t get more green than that.
RLS: Recycled! Fantastic.
SMF: Every once in a way I’ll mix it with a cute Little Seed dress. It makes it more affordable for a family. Kids are expensive! It’s okay to do hand-me-downs. It’s all about the choices that can help you make the change.
Find out more about Soleil’s seeds of change in Part One of this interview, and check back next week for more of our exclusive with Soleil!
