When Desiree Vuocolo founded LocalGood, her vision was simple yet profound: to create a marketplace where art could flourish, and local creators could thrive. But in recent months, that mission has taken on an urgent new focus—thanks to a heartfelt conversation with one of the site’s most respected artists, Karen Krieger.
Karen, a metal and paper artist, has always believed in the power of art to inspire, provoke, and heal. Yet, as she watched critical women’s reproductive rights diminish across the U.S., her desire to do more weighed heavily on her. “Art reflects our values and our struggles,” Karen explains. “It felt natural to use my work as a platform for something that impacts women’s lives so deeply.” Karen’s passion for these rights, coupled with her desire to spark meaningful change, soon resonated with Desiree.
As they talked about the ongoing battles for women’s reproductive autonomy, Desiree saw an opportunity for LocalGood to become a force for positive action. “It was clear to me that this was the right path. Until women in all 50 states have the freedom to make their own choices, there’s a need to act and support those rights,” Desiree shares. The realization became a new mission: LocalGood would donate a portion of all proceeds to support women’s reproductive rights, ensuring that each purchase on the platform does more than just support artists; it also funds advocacy and action for this essential cause.
For Desiree and Karen, the need is urgent and deeply personal. “There are millions of women in states where they don’t have control over their reproductive health decisions, and that lack of autonomy affects every aspect of their lives,” says Desiree. “I want LocalGood to be a place where art, community, and values align in support of women’s right to choose.”
In the month since this shift, LocalGood has become a destination for customers who believe that shopping should be purposeful, where each purchase supports creativity and advocates for women’s rights. Artists like Karen feel their work is no longer limited to the gallery but is now a tool for collective action. “Knowing that my art can contribute to something so important—that’s everything,” Karen says. “It’s a reminder that art and choice should go hand in hand.”
Together, Desiree and Karen hope that LocalGood’s model can help drive real change, channeling the power of a creative community to support women until choice is a reality for all. “We won’t stop until women in all 50 states have control over their own bodies,” Desiree affirms. “We’re here for art, for autonomy, and for a future where every woman has the freedom to make her own choices.” Today, LocalGood.com stands as a testament to what’s possible when art, advocacy, and community converge. With each purchase, the platform reinforces its commitment: until reproductive choice is a reality everywhere, LocalGood will continue to support the fight for freedom and equality.