#ChooseToChallenge: Justine and Kendall Barber

How do you #choosetochallenge?⁠

⁠In celebration of #internationalwomensday, we partnered up with Poppy Barley to feature some of our favourite leaders from across the country who are breaking the barriers of change and empowering more female participation in the boardroom.

⁠All of these women proudly sport DirectHer's Diversitees and items from Poppy Barley’s International Women’s Day collection.

Justine Barber

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Poppy Barley.

Mother, entrepreneur, book worm and active Edmontonian.

Kendall Barber

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Poppy Barley.

Mom of two, global adventurer, avid runner, book lover and cookie monster.

I Choose to Challenge:

Justine: The fashion industry. The average garment gets worn 7 (7!) times before being tossed and the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse emissions. As the co-founder of Poppy Barley, a slow fashion company focused on quality, sustainability and ethical production I am part of creating a new kind of luxury in fashion.

Kendall: The possibility of civil dialogues. We need to speak to each other, ideally face-to-face. We are so divided – encouraged by our own echo chambers and algorithmic bubbles driven-by technology. There is so much fear, hate and distrust. We're afraid to say anything. Without conversations, we lose the ability to learn from each other's experiences.

For the Future I Hope:

Justine: That we will buy less and buy better.

Kendall: For tolerance. For us to translate our strengths as humans – connection, kindness, optimism, curiosity and resiliency – to repair our deep divides and enthusiastically hold space for different perspectives.

Photography by Dallas Curow.