Avon Products, Inc. News
Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, and Acclaimed Actress, Phylicia Rashad Join Roster of Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund Judges
NEW YORK, April 15 PRNewswire — Avon Products, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of two extraordinary women to the roster of judges for the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund: Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York and Phylicia Rashad, film and stage actress. The Hello Tomorrow Fund is a weekly $5,000 cash award program granted to individuals who wish to launch or expand a program or project to empower women in their communities and beyond. Both Sarah Ferguson and Phylicia Rashad will add a unique perspective to the diverse judging panel, consisting of notable public figures, philanthropic leaders and heads of business, such as Suze Orman, personal finance expert and award-winning television host; Joan Libby Hawk, human rights advocate and Public Affairs Specialist to United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); Cynthia Rowley, award-winning fashion designer and author; and Jillian Dempsey, influential makeup artist and entrepreneur. These two powerful women have joined the Hello Tomorrow Fund judging panel effective with the expansion of the program into a second year, a testament to the program's prevailing success. The first winners the new judges help select will be announced in April.
Initially launched in March 2007 as a one-year initiative in celebration of International Women's Day, the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund has flourished in over a dozen countries as an effective vehicle to "empower women and change our world," and has been extended for a second year. In the US alone, there were over 4,000 applications for the first year of weekly awards, and 2008 is on track for even greater success. Judges in this incredible program have the opportunity to review applications for the $5,000 cash award from men and women who are looking to implement meaningful change for women and girls in their communities.
"We are delighted to welcome both Phylicia Rashad and Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, to our esteemed panel of judges for the second year of our Hello Tomorrow Fund," said Andrea Jung, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Avon Products, Inc. "Avon has a long history of empowering women, and we are extremely pleased that both of these unique, dynamic and accomplished women have joined our efforts to support direct, grassroots empowerment through the Hello Tomorrow Fund."
Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, is widely admired for her success at balancing motherhood with the demands of a diverse international career spanning business, advocacy, publishing, broadcasting and film, philanthropy and public speaking.
The Duchess is a bestselling author who has published 26 books on various subjects ranging from her autobiography to health, empowerment, history and art, as well as several children's book series, which incorporate themes of values, empowerment and overcoming life challenges. She frequently lends her support as spokesperson and advocate for public health campaigns by working with health organizations, such as the American Heart Association; the American Cancer Society and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Duchess also served as Global Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Phylicia Rashad is a native of Houston and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater from Howard University. Phylicia was the recipient of the Dorothy L. Height Dreamaker Award sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women Inc. Dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged people worldwide, Phylicia is an active supporter of the PRASAD Project, an international humanitarian organization that supports programs in health, education, sustainable development and disaster relief. Ms. Rashad is also a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices, a volunteer gospel ensemble of New York City actors. She is dedicated to the importance of the fine arts in education. Known to television audiences for her role as "Claire Huxtable" on The Cosby Show and "Ruth Lucas" on the CBS sitcom, Cosby, she received the NAACP Image Award for "Best Actress in a Comedy Series" for both of these roles. Phylicia has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and has received two People's Choice Awards.
About the US Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund
The US Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund will continue to award $5,000 each week, with the second year continuing through April 2009. Winners are deserving individuals who have submitted a compelling application with unique and achievable initiatives within the US to help realize a program, project or idea to empower women or girls and ultimately improve society. Women and men are eligible for the US Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, and winners are selected by an expert panel of judges.
Information, applications and guidelines are available at www.avon.com/hellotomorrowfund. Application submission and selection of winners is organized in a quarterly cycle. One winner is publicly announced every Tuesday through the Hello Tomorrow website, and profiles of the winners and updates on their impact are featured on the website to share their inspiring ideas. To further support women's empowerment, the website also offers links to resources and organizations relevant to women's issues.
About the Judges
Applications are thoughtfully and carefully reviewed by an expert panel. The complete roster includes:
* Jillian Dempsey: influential makeup artist, beauty industry icon and entrepreneur * Anne T. Dowling: President of the Institute for Cultural Enterprise (ICE), a nonprofit agency; past President of the Texaco Foundation and Director of Corporate Contributions for Altria * Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York: mother, businesswoman, advocate, philanthropist, author * Carol M. Kurzig: Executive Director of the Avon Foundation * Joan Libby-Hawk: human rights advocate and Public Affairs Specialist, United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM * Suze Orman: personal finance expert, award-winning television host, author, magazine and online columnist, writer/producer, and motivational speaker. Suze's newest book, Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny, was released February 27, 2007. * Maria Peninger: Vice President of Representative Development for Avon Products, Inc. and strong advocate for women's empowerment * Phylicia Rashad: award-winning actress and director * Cynthia Rowley: award-winning fashion designer, author and entrepreneur * Joseph Salim, D.D.M.: committed humanitarian, co-founder and Executive Director of the Virtue Foundation * Lynn M. Stekas: nationally-recognized leader in corporate community involvement, philanthropy and volunteerism, and former President of the MONY Foundation
To Apply for the Hello Tomorrow Fund
The fastest way to apply or learn more is at www.avon.com/hellotomorrowfund. For those without internet access, a friend or colleague can download a printable PDF file of the application on the website, or request paper copies from: Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, c/o Changing Our World, 220 East 42nd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
About Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation
Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with almost $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through 5.4 million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark. Avon is also a leader in corporate responsibility and philanthropy. In addition to Avon's heritage of women's empowerment, the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is the largest corporate foundation for women, with more than $580 million raised worldwide for breast cancer, domestic violence and emergency disaster relief. Learn more about Avon, its products and programs at www.avoncompany.com.
SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.
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