(ARA) - For generations it seemed millions of American women served only in supporting roles among the nation's charitable and activist organizations. Today more women are taking leadership roles in activism and are founding their own outreach organizations.
"Exceptional women of all ages are taking lead roles in grassroots activism," says Carol J. Hamilton, president of L'Oréal Paris. "They are truly making a difference in their communities. By recognizing their achievements, we not only encourage their continued commitment to their causes, we can inspire the next generation of women in their service to the community."
L'Oreal Paris launched a national campaign earlier this year to find and honor women committed to community achievement and volunteerism. Consumers nominated thousands of women in the first phase of the "Women of Worth" program. A panel of judges from business, media and activism organizations has chosen 13 top activists. Honorees range in age from just 23 to 80, and include some women who began their activism careers as early as age 8 and 15.
Online voters will choose the Women of Worth National Honoree, who will receive $25,000 for her cause from L'Oreal Paris. To vote, go to www.womenofworth.com.
Honorees include:
* Maureen Cavaiola, 59, of Severna Park, Md. Cavaiola founded "Partners in Care," an organization that helps older and disabled adults remain independent in their own homes.
* Tara Church, 29, of New York City. At age 8, Church co-founded the world's first youth environmental nonprofit, "Tree Musketeers."
* Meagan Corlin, 23, of Strafford, N.H. When she was just 17, Corlin founded the "StarMight Foundation," a nonprofit organization that empowers youth to make a difference through volunteerism.
* Angelia Curran, 41, of Smith's Station, Ala. Curran began volunteering with the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department at 15, and is now the department's deputy chief.
* Anne Garrett Addison, 45, of Lake Stephens, Wash., co-founded the Pre-eclampsia Foundation. The organization's mission is to reduce maternal and infant illness and death due to pre-eclampsia.
* Millicent "Mama" Hill, 67, of Los Angeles. She established Mama Hill's Help, providing tutoring for more than 125 neighborhood youth in south Los Angeles.
* Gayle Hutchens, 60, of Indianapolis, founded Paws & Think, which matches underserved youth with shelter dogs to enhance the lives of adults and children with special needs.
* Shamika Lee, 27, of Boston. Lee volunteers at Graham Windham, a home that provides preventive services as well as foster care and adoption.
* Pauline Lewis, 69, of Phoenix, Ariz., 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, 55, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Love Jen Fund which Masi founded provides emergency financial assistance to families who have a child sick with cancer.
* Eva Payne, 31, of Lincoln, Neb.; founded Camp Kindle, a summer camp for young people impacted by HIV and AIDS.
* Hesther Rippy, 80, of 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, 58, of Oklahoma City, founded the HUGS Project, a nationwide troop support effort.
L'Oréal Paris will recognize the Women of Worth honorees by making a monetary donation of $2,500 on their behalf to the nonprofit organization they work with and a matching monetary donation of $2,500 will be made in the name of each winner to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, the 10-year charitable partner of L'Oréal Paris. The Women of Worth National Honoree will receive $25,000 for her cause from L'Oreal Paris.
For more information about the Women of Worth Program, honorees bios and to vote for the 2007 Women of Worth National Honoree, please visit www.womenofworth.com. Voting closes Oct. 15, 2007.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
