Siri Steven
There are so many incredible people in our region! Do you know someone more people should know about? Submit your “Know Your Driftless Neighbor” to: samantha.ludeking@decorahleader.com.
Siri Steven’s presence is unmistakable around Decorah. She’s often clad in kaleidoscopic, groovy dresses and funky, chunky sandals, with long brown ringlets framing her befreckled ever-smiling visage. Siri is passionate about being sustainable and finding new purpose in used items. She has a talent for sewing and dreams of upcycling fabric into unique and vibrant dresses.
“I have always had an interest in secondhand fashion, and a few years ago, I reached out to Lisa Lantz, who owns The Getup in Decorah, about working there, and the rest is history,” she said.
Siri was hired at the sustainable clothing consignment boutique four years ago. Since then, she has become the store’s manager and handles The Getup’s social media accounts, which often feature attention grabbing videos and other content.
But her passions go beyond the walls of local retail.
Siri is a giving human who believes in lifting up others and helping wherever it is needed. Recently she started crocheting and had an epiphany after crocheting scrunchies for her daughter and friends at their dance class. The clothing store manager realized she could crochet scrunchies to sell and raise money to help the Palestinians in Gaza – that region has recently seen escalated violence between Israel and Palestine – and she looked to a culinary concept for her crafty creations.
She began making watermelon scrunchies – the fruit is something of a staple in southern Gaza as well as among a number of Arab tribes, she said, and more recently young tech-savvy advocates have begun to use watermelon emojis as they call for a cease-fire in Gaza.
“I also learned how to make watermelon earrings, and so far, I have raised $100 thanks to the support of the community purchasing my scrunchies and earrings,” Siri said. “I am hoping to continue to raise money to send to different organizations every month.”
When not at work or making scrunchies for fundraisers, Siri spends her free time hiking, biking, canoeing and taking photos around Yellow River with her two favorite human beings – her daughter and her husband.
“My daughter makes me so proud, and I love watching her grow, learn and evolve. She makes me want to be a better person,” Siri said. “I also love and admire my husband, Matthew. He is a social worker and does really important and incredible work with kids in the Driftless — he is the most selfless, caring, compassionate person I have ever met.”
In addition to her sewing and crocheting talents, Siri loves making music as well as writing songs – she can play the piano, guitar and viola.
“I can usually figure out how to play a song if I give myself a day to try and sound it out,” she said.
Overall, Siri says she is proud of being known for trying to be a kind human being, and she is grateful to work for a small business that values a circular economy, sustainability and community.
“If we all chose something we are passionate about that brings us meaning and makes a positive impact on people and the earth, imagine how beautiful our existence could be!” Siri said. “I really believe, now more than ever, we need kindness. We need empathy. We need inclusivity and love for one another. Love and caring for each other is the only thing that is going to save us and the planet – and we need it now more than ever.”
There are so many incredible people in our region! Do you know someone more people should know about? Submit your “Know Your Driftless Neighbor” to: samantha.ludeking@decorahleader.com.
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