Corporate Social Responsibility

News

10.30.2007 - 10:30am ET

CSR News from:	L'Oreal
News Categories:	Philanthropy/Corporate Contributions
	Community Development

L'Oréal Paris Honors 13 Women as Women of Worth Honorees for Their Outstanding Community Achievement

Online Vote Chooses Oklahoma Native Karen Stark as Women of Worth National Honoree

L'Oreal Paris 2007 Women of Worth Honorees

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY - October 30, 2007 - L'Oreal Paris honored 13 incredible women for their outstanding volunteerism and community achievement at a special awards presentation last night in New York City. These 13 exceptional women have shown incomparable dedication for their respective causes, tackling a wide range of issues including: the environment, cancer care, pregnancy issues, homelessness and elder care.

The 13 honorees are a cross section of women from all across America and are exceptional representatives of the current trend in grassroots activism.

Maureen Cavaiola, Age 59, Severna Park, Maryland, founded "Partners in Care", an organization that helps older and disabled adults remain independent in their own homes.

Tara Church, Age 29, New York, New York, co-founded the world's first youth environmental nonprofit, "Tree Musketeers" at age 8.

Meagan Corlin, Age 23, Strafford, New Hampshire, founded the "StarMight Foundation" at age 17, a non-profit organization that empowers youth to make a difference through volunteerism.

Angelia Curran, Age 41, Smith's Station, Alabama, is the Deputy Chief of the "Friendship Volunteer Fire Department", a volunteer fire department she began volunteering for at age 15.

Anne Garrett Addison, Age 45, Lake Stephens, Washington, co-founded the "Preeclampsia Foundation", whose mission is to reduce maternal and infant illness and death due to preeclampsia.

Millicent "Mama" Hill, Age 67, Los Angeles, California, established "Mama Hill's Help" which provides tutoring for more than 125 neighborhood youth in South Los Angeles.

Gayle Hutchens, Age 60, Indianapolis, Indiana, founded "Paws & Think", which matches underserved youth with shelter dogs to enhance the lives of adults and children with special needs.

Shamika Lee, Age 27, Boston, Massachusetts, volunteers at "Graham Windham", a home that provides preventive services as well as foster care and adoption.

Pauline Lewis, Age 69, Phoenix, Arizona, founded the "Phoenix Foundation for Homeless Children" and ministers to hundreds of homeless children and their families by tending to their medical, nutritional, and other basic needs.

Wendy Masi, Age 55, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, established the "Love Jen Fund", which provides emergency financial assistance to families who have a child sick with cancer.

Eva Payne, Age 31, Lincoln, Nebraska; founded "Camp Kindle", a summer camp for young people impacted by HIV and AIDS.

Hesther Rippy, Age 80, Lehi, Utah, founded the "Lehi-Rippy Literacy Center", which offers effective one-on-one literacy training to help families and individuals develop the necessary reading skills to thrive in society.

Karen Stark, Age 58, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, founded the "HUGS Project" a nationwide troop support effort.

Carol J. Hamilton, President, L'Oréal Paris Congratulates 2007 Women of Worth National Honoree Karen Stark

The 13 Women of Worth honorees were chosen from thousands of applicants nationwide by an elite group of judges, which includes: Carol Hamilton, President L'Oréal Paris, Dayle Haddon, author and L'Oréal Paris spokesperson, Soledad O'Brien, CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent, Denise Resnik, a 2006 Women of Worth Award winner and founder of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, Susan L. Taylor, Editorial Director of Essence Magazine and Louisa Terry, Co-Executive Director of The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. All 13 honorees received $2,500 on her behalf for their non-profit cause plus a matching $2,500 monetary donation in her name to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, the ten-year charitable partner of L'Oréal Paris.

"The four simple words 'Because I'm Worth It' continue to serve as the inspiration for the L'Oréal Paris community," said Carol J. Hamilton, President, L'Oréal Paris. "We're thrilled to be honoring these thirteen amazing women from all across the country for their dedication to their communities."

National Honoree

In addition to last night's awards presentation, L'Oreal Paris announced this morning, the Women of Worth National Honoree, Karen Stark. Karen was chosen by popular vote as the Woman of Worth National Honoree for with her work with The HUGS Project, a national organization that provides handmade supplies for US troops oversees.

Karen will receive an additional $25,000 for The HUGS Project from L'Oréal Paris. More than 35,000 people voted online www.womenofworth.com, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of all of the women's volunteer work.

Karen Stark founded The HUGS Project in 2004 with the intention of sending one Marine a few emails, but it quickly grew into something much larger. Inspired by her experience driving a taxi on a Japanese naval base, Karen knew of the loneliness and emotional support needed by those serving abroad. Today, The HUGS Project has sent out more than 254,000 cooling ties (nicknamed hugs), 38,000 helmet coolers (nicknamed kisses), plus numerous other supplies to help the troops be more comfortable in extreme climates.

Women of Worth

The Women of Worth initiative is inspired by L'Oréal Paris' iconic brand philosophy, "Because I'm Worth It" and recognizes the achievements of real women who embody the spirit of the L'Oréal brand-women who possess self-confidence and are committed to distinguishing their own lives by making a difference in the lives of others.

For more information about the Women of Worth Program, please visit www.womenofworth.com.

ABOUT L'ORÉAL PARIS

The L'Oréal Paris Brand Division of L'Oréal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care company that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in luxury beauty at mass. The L'Oréal Paris product family includes Preference, Excellence, Natural Match, Feria, and Couleur Experte haircolors; VIVE Pro, Studio Line, and L'Oréal Kids hair care; Dermo-Expertise skin care, including Advanced Revitalift, Wrinkle De-Crease, Age Perfect, Men's Expert, Sublime Slim and Sublime Bronze; and L'Oréal Paris Cosmetics, including Colour Riche lip colors, True Match Makeup, Wear Infinite Eyeshadows, Voluminous, Double Extend, Telescopic, and Volume Shocking mascaras, among many others, and the HIP High Intensity Pigments line.

For more information please contact:

Patricia Rallis, Senior Account Executive
Bratskeir | Seidman
212-679-2233

Tara Madden, Vice President
Bratskeir | Seidman
212-679-2233

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