About the Names
Briar is a jewelry brand, but it is also a living tribute to honor the women who helped shape the world that Briar is allowed to exist in today. That is why each piece is named after a real woman who changed the world quietly or boldly, famously or behind the scenes.
These women remind us that elegance and power can live in the same form, just like a briar - a beautiful bloom rooted and protected by a fierce strength.
This page is here to share a little more about each of the names you’ll see throughout the collections. My hope is that by wearing these pieces, you not only feel strong and beautiful, but you’ll also carry a small piece of these womens’ legacies with you.
Some of these women dedicated their entire lives to fight for the rights that I am now utilizing to create a business like Briar today. It is why I proudly say feminism is tied into every aspect of this brand, not just in its existence but in every detail of its messaging that I can think of to promote the importance of uplifting the women in your life.
I choose these names with care. The use of these names are meant to serve as a living memory. I invite you to take a moment to learn about each woman and carry her story with you. When we honor the women who helped us bloom, we plant the seeds for the next generation to grow.
The Amanda
Named after Amanda Nguyen (b.1991). Amanda Nguyen is a modern day civil rights activist, astronaut, author, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and founder of Rise -- a nonprofit that helped pass the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights. Her tireless work changed the laws in the U.S. and abroad, saving the lives of countless survivors of sexual assault, all while persuing her own dreams of becoming an astronaut. Her bravery, persistence, and fierce strength is a reminder to “Never, never, never give up” even when the odds are stacked against you.
“The systems that are meant to protect us often fail us, and it is up to us to create new systems of justice and accountability.”
The Amanda honors resilience, determination, and the strength it takes to rise.
The Ruth
Named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020). Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and a lifelong advocate for gender equality under the law. Her sharp legal mind and quiet determination helped dismantle laws that limited women’s autonomy from banking and employment, to healthcare and family rights.
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.”
The Ruth honors thoughtful strength and the power of persistence.
The Patsy
Named after Patsy Mink (1927-2002). Patsy Mink was the first woman of color and first Asian American woman elected into Congress and the co-author of Title IX, the landmark legislation that transformed women’s access to education, athletics, and economic opportunity. Her work helped ensure that gender would never again be a barrier to learning or leading.
“What you can endure is who you are. I can’t change the past. But I can certainly help somebody else in the future so they don’t have to go through what I did.”
The Patsy honors those who open doors and keeps them open for others behind them.
The Jane
Named after Jane Goodall (b. 1934). Jane Goodall is a primatologist, environmentalist, author, and humanitarian whose groundbreaking work with chimpanzees redefined our understanding of the natural world. Jane has spent her life advocating for conservation, empathy, and the interconnectedness of all living things. Her legacy, which began in a primarily male-dominated field, is modeled by a new kind of leadership: one that is gentle, persistent, and deeply aware of our responsibility to the planet.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. Whatever you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
The Jane honors intuitive strength and the beauty of living in harmony with the world around you.
The Ella
Named after Ella Baker (1903-1986). Ella Baker was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, not because she stood at the podium, but because she believed that true power came from the strength of many working together. She strongly believed in the power of grassroots organizing and helped to shape organizations like the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Ella’s legacy reminds the world that leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be lasting. It can be humble, collaborative, and rooted in community. She changed history without asking for credit.
“Give light and people will find the way.”
The Ella honors the women who build from the ground up and honors the power of community building.
The Serena
Named after Serena Williams (b.1981). Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of all time with four Olympic gold medals, 23 Grand Slam championships, and a record breaking 319 weeks ranked as the number one women’s single tennis player in the world. But her legacy extends far beyond tennis. She’s been an unapologetic advocate for racial equity, gender parity in sports, and Black maternal health. She invests in women-led startups and shares the spotlight with her sister and former teammate, Venus. Serena reminds us that success doesn’t have to be solitary and that strength walks hand in hand with femininity.
“The success of one woman should be the inspiration for another.”
The Serena honors loyal sisterhood, bold femininity, and the power of showing up for the women beside you.
The Dorothea
Named after Dorothea Lange (1895-1965). Dorothea Lange was a prolific photojournalist best known for her work during the Great Depression. Her image, Migrant Mother, became a defining portrait of American hardship and dignity. Lange used her camera not just to humanize times of hardship, she was creating empathy through image and light.
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”
The Dorothea honors the women who bear witness and turn pain into purpose.