Empower a Refugee : Peace of Thread & the Backyard Humanity Movement

Empower a Refugee by Patricia Martin Holt reveals the extraordinary story of how simple acts of kindness-and the power of handmade craftsmanship-can help transform the lives of displaced women rebuilding their futures in America.

Across the U.S., refugees from the Middle East and Asia arrive seeking safety from famine, war, and violence. Yet many find themselves isolated, grieving, and uncertain of their place in their new communities. Empower a Refugee asks the urgent question: How can hope take root again?

Patricia Martin Holt answers by shining a light on Peace of Thread, a nonprofit founded by Denise Smith, an Evangelical Christian who made her home in Clarkston, an Atlanta suburb known as one of the most diverse square miles in the nation. After living in Lebanon for six years and learning Arabic, Smith used her language skills-and a compassionate heart-to connect with refugee women longing for purpose, confidence, and stability.

What she discovered was a shared thread: many of these women carried remarkable sewing and fabric artistry from their home countries. Together, they built Peace of Thread, where handcrafted bags and accessories are created and sold on Etsy and in specialty boutiques. Through their work, these women not only earn income but also reclaim dignity, community, and a sense of belonging.

Holt vividly captures how ordinary Americans can rise above national climates of fear and division to take meaningful action. Empower a Refugee celebrates the courage of women rebuilding their lives stitch by stitch-and reminds us that fostering peace can begin right where we live, with open hands and open he