L’Oreal Paris recently honored 10 women pursuing their passions and improving the lives of others through giving back to their communities at the 10th anniversary Women of Worth celebration.

The celebration was held December 1st at The Pierre in New York City.

Photo above: Actress and L’oreal Paris brand ambassador Eva Longoria was one of the celebrity presenters.

Karen T. Fondu, president, L’Oreal Paris, commented:

“During our 10th anniversary year, it is thrilling to see such exceptional women join our Women of Worth family…The passion for their work and dedication to their causes is inspiring to us all.”

The Honorees

Michael R. Bloomberg presented the inaugural L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth Impact Award to Atlanta, Georgia native Lisa Williams. The award included a $10,000 grant from L’Oreal Paris for her cause.

Williams was a Women of Worth Honoree five years ago for embodying the L’Oreal Paris philosophy that “Every Woman is Worth It,” providing a safe haven for women and children who have been victimized by violence. Through her Circle of Friends and The Living Water Programs, she has worked to pass state legislation protecting these victims and expanded the organization’s resources and impact from Georgia to multiple states across the country.

THE 2015 WOMEN OF WORTH HONOREES

• Schinnell Leake, Founder of Extra-Ordinary Birthdays


• Maria Rose Belding, Founder of MEANS Database


• Jaha Dukureh, Founder of Safe Hands for Girls


• Elissa Davey, Founder of Garden of Innocence


• SuEllen Fried, Founder of Reaching Out from Within


• Teri Kelsall, Co-Founder of The Jonas Project


• Kathy Koenigsdorf, Founder of The Jake Koenigsdorf Foundation


• Alison O’Neil, Founder of Beauty Becomes You Foundation


• Melaney Smith, Founder of Books for Keeps


• Catherine Curry-Williams, Founder of Shane’s Inspiration.

In addition, Schinnell Leake, founder of Extra-Ordinary Birthdays, was presented with the National Honoree award for providing homeless children with birthday parties. 

A Star-Studded Guest List

The event featured special presentations by L’Oreal Paris ambassadors Karlie Kloss, Eva Longoria, Andie MacDowell, Julianne Moore, Aimee Mullins and Freida Pinto. Arianna Huffington, Hoda Kotb, and Mary Alice Stephenson.

Hoda Kotb said, “The world isn’t changed by big huge events, it’s changed by baby steps. And all these women who we’re meeting today, you watch how they are changing the world…in baby steps. They make us all realize we have power.”

Fondu added, “The more women we can recognize that are making a difference in their communities whether they touch one life or many is going to make the world a better place in the long run and we’re very proud and humbled by the opportunity to put a spotlight on these extraordinary women.”