L'Oréal Paris holds annual Women of Worth celebration in NYC
NEW YORK — L'Oréal Paris hosted its eighth annual Women of Worth celebration on Dec. 3 at The Pierre in New York City — an event that brought together an esteemed group of notable guests, company executives, business leaders, philanthropists and former honorees to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the 2013 Women of Worth honorees.
United in their extraordinary efforts and dedication to their causes, the 10 women recognized are raising the bar and breaking new ground to pursue their passions and make positive changes in their communities.
L'Oréal Paris ambassadors Lea Michele, Diane Keaton, Aimee Mullins and Andie MacDowell attended the eighth annual L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth celebration at The Pierre on Dec. 3 in New York City. (PRNewsFoto/L'Oréal Paris)
From a Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher empowering teachers across the country to teach students compassion, to a nurse aiding terminally-ill seniors in accomplishing their bucket lists, to a culinary entrepreneur building and running a nonprofit restaurant that helps at-risk youth learn life skills, the 2013 Women of Worth honorees are tackling some of the country's most pressing issues.
The evening featured a number of special presentations by L'Oréal Paris ambassadors Diane Keaton, Andie MacDowell, Lea Michele and Aimee Mullins. Women of Worth 2012 National Honoree and Montgomery County, Pa., district attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, Mika Brzezinski, Arianna Huffington, Hoda Kotb, Mary Alice Stephenson and Trisha Yearwood also helped recognize the 2013 Women of Worth honorees.
"We've been deeply touched by each of the honoree's stories and amazed at their steadfast determination, business savvy and personal perseverance to achieve success for the causes that they so tirelessly crusade," said L'Oréal Paris president Karen T. Fondu. "These incredible entrepreneurs and philanthropists truly epitomize everything our Women of Worth program represents, and should serve as inspiration for women and men everywhere who strive to make a difference."
With the support of thousands who submitted votes during the month of November on WomenofWorth.com and L'Oréal Paris' social channels, Lauren Book was revealed as this year's National Honoree and awarded an additional $25,000 for her work with Lauren's Kids, a nonprofit focused on preventing childhood sexual abuse and helping survivors and heal. A sexual abuse survivor herself, Book has made it her mission to turn her horrific experience into a vehicle for change. Her work has helped shine a light on the dark issue of child sexual abuse, protected children and served survivors. Through advocacy and education, she is influencing lawmakers and arming children and their parents with the information necessary to keep abuse out of their homes.
The 2013 Women of Worth honorees represent a variety of social issues and charitable causes that touch millions of lives across the nation. Each has been awarded with $10,000 to support her organization, as well as national recognition that helps to further fuel awareness of their cause.