We know the Quiksilver Woman is one who is creative, full of spirit and fashion forward – but she is also one who is grounded in conviction to make this world a better place to live. Two women are bringing this way of thinking to life. Tennille De Freitas and Alexi Panos have set their minds to changing people’s live through their organization E.P.I.C., Everyday People Initiating Change. Quiksilver Womens has partnered with these extraordinary women to help them make an impact.

These girls are true style icons! They inspire not only with their look, creativity and lifestyle but they also look outside themselves and take action.

Recently, Alexi and Tenille participated in a Water Walk through New York City and I was able to get the inside scoop. What makes these women so motivated and inspiring? Alexi fills us in.

First of all, can you fill us in about E.P.I.C.? What it is and how it all got started?

Alexi: E.P.I.C. is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean, sustainable water to those in need throughout the developing world. It started 4 years ago as just a dream between two friends to see positive change in the world. Both Tennille and I had our own personal experiences seeing poverty and having it imprint a lasting calling on our hearts. When Tennille and I met at a lounge job in the city (she was cocktailing, I was bartending) we originally connected on music, as I was just leaving the music industry and she was heavily involved as an up and coming artist, however the connection ran deeper as we started to learn about each other’s past experiences in Africa. Tennille had lived in Egypt for 5 years as a young girl and remembers seeing poverty all around her. She always new it was part of her purpose in life to give back to those less fortunate than herself. For me, it was my time on tour in Africa that showed me what poverty was. I had made a promise to myself to go back and help those in need.

It all came to a head one trip visiting her family in Trinidad & Tobago when we were watching a program on the BBC about a woman who had raised $300,000 for a village in Africa. No one knew who she was, and she did it all by herself. This gave us the inspiration to start our own organization, E.P.I.C., that took it’s name from this very moment: Everyday People Initiating Change—you don’t have to have tons of money or fame or access to give back, you just need the heart and the courage to do so.

This summer will be our 4th year back to Tanzania– and we have successfully drilled 2 sustainable, clean water wells, and will head out this year to drill 2 more.

You recently just participated in a Water Walk in New York City. Can you fill us in on what that was all about?

Alexi: The water walk in Battery Park was organized by UNICEF and the Tap Project (this was their 2nd annual) to raise awareness around the fact that billions of people lack access to clean water, and they must walk for miles to retrieve water from contaminated sources. We partnered up with them this year by creating a team for E.P.I.C. and rallying our friends to walk with us and get sponsored for their walk. The sponsored money goes directly to both UNICEF/Tap Project and E.P.I.C. to fund our efforts to help to eradicate that water crisis in the developing world.

To finish up, tell us about E.P.I.C.’s collaberation with Quiksilver Womens?

Alexi: Quiksilver Womens and E.P.I.C. partnered up in late 2008 to raise awareness on the water crisis and to bring funds to our Ripple Project- bringing clean water to those in need. We feel it’s the perfect partnership as QSW represents who Tennille and I are as women: down-to-earth, fun, spirited, socially conscious, and grounded. For every purchase made from QSW’s eco-friendly line, 3% of their sales goes directly towards drilling clean, sustainable water wells in the developing world. We’re excited to be able to broaden our reach to raise awareness through QSW, and are even more excited to be a part of a brand like Quiksilver- who understand their personal responsibility to give back in the world!

Here are some photos of the girls in action! To hear more check this out.