The L’Oreal Paris company recently advertised the “Women of Worth” campaign to bring awareness to 10 women and their independently-implemented causes and charities.
In this day and age, women are appallingly underrepresented in media, politics and society, so a handful of organizations are taking the initiative to recognize extraordinary everyday women fighting to make a difference. The L’Oreal Paris company recently advertised the “Women of Worth” campaign to bring awareness to 10 women and their independently-implemented causes and charities.
You’ve probably seen a commercial or two on television in the last couple of weeks advertising this campaign. As a women’s and gender studies student, these advertisements intrigued me to learn more about the other nominees and what kinds of causes the program recognizes. The 10 campaigns listed on the website — which were selected from more than 4,000 possible participants — represent causes ranging from supplying infant necessities to cancer awareness. In no particular order, the women and their causes are: D.C Diaper Bank (Corinne Cannon), The Stephanie Decker Foundation (Stephanie Decker), Off the Streets Program (Shaaron Funderburk), Kids’ Food Basket (Mary K. Hoodhood), Operation Renewed Hope (Deborah Snyder), Simon’s Fund (Phyllis Sudman), Cloud4Cancer (Brittany Wenger), Maxlove Project (Audra Wilford), Courage Worldwide (Jenny Williamson) and Project Compassion, NFP (Rachel R. Jackson-Bramwell).
Based on the results of online votes, one of those women will take home a $25,000 prize for their cause. Voting closes Friday and the gala honoring the 2014 National Honoree will be held December 2 in New York City.
Ohio University also has programs that both showcase accomplishments and empower local women or women otherwise associated with the university. I have done a lot of promotion in previous installments of this column for the Ohio University Women’s Center, but they are an active part of our campus, striving for gender equality and the voices of women both on and off campus to be heard.
OUWC hosts an annual mentorship program for junior and senior female undergraduate students. When students apply and state their academic and career interests, the Women’s Center matches them with a mentor in the community to communicate with and work alongside for several months. The program empowers women in any career field, while also giving female students valuable experience to begin their careers. I strongly encourage others to become a part of this program. The 2015-2016 mentee application will be available in September or October 2015 in the Women’s Center on the fourth floor of Baker Center. Mentor applications are also available if you have graduated and want to mentor someone in this program.
Jordan Williams is a junior studying English and Women’s and Gender studies. Email her at jw719111@ohio.edu.
