L’Oréal Paris has announced the 2016 Women of Worth, honored for making an extraordinary impact in their communities. The company is also asking the public to vote for the National Honoree, who will receive up to $35,000 for her cause.

 L’Oréal Paris provides each Women of Worth Honoree national recognition through networking opportunities, marketing support, a platform to tell her story and $10,000 to support her charitable cause.

“The 2016 Women of Worth are passionate and vibrant women united in a mission to improve the lives of others,” said Karen T. Fondu, President of L’Oréal Paris. “Through their actions, the Women of Worth demonstrate an inner strength that is transformative to their communities and the embodiment of our L’Oréal Paris belief that celebrates the intrinsic worth and beauty of every woman.”

The 2016 Women of Worth Honorees

Monica Gray – New York, N.Y.; Founder, DreamWakers, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting underserved children with educational career support and mentorship by using the power of free video technologies to virtually connect professional leaders and diverse role models with 4th-12th grade students.

Sandra Gunn – Arnold, Md.; Founder, LESLIE’S WEEK, a nonprofit that donates vacation homes to families of women with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Marian Hamilton – Armonk, N.Y.; Founder, The Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center, an “oasis” for caregivers at Northern Westchester Hospital to take time for themselves and to freely receive assistance and emotional counseling from a team of two social workers or 34 volunteers.

Jessica Kidd – Ruther Glen, Va.; Founder, Gracie’s Gowns, a nonprofit donating personalized hospital gowns to children battling life-threatening conditions.
 
Diane Latiker – Chicago, Ill.; Founder, Kids Off the Block, an organization that helps low-income, at-risk youth find positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, truancy, violence, and the juvenile justice system.
 
Nadya Okamoto – Portland, Ore.; Formerly homeless teen who founded Camions of Care to provide menstrual hygiene management services to women in need.
 
Debbie Sardone – Flower Mound, TX; Founder of Cleaning for a Reason, inspires residential cleaning service firms to offer four months of free, monthly household cleaning sessions for women with cancer.

Orlaith Staunton – New York, N.Y.; Co-founder of Rory Staunton Foundation for Sepsis Prevention, an organization that raises awareness about Sepsis prevention she established after losing her son Rory to Sepsis in 2012.

Kathy Tillotson – Huntington Beach, Calif.; Founder, Build Futures, an organization that gets homeless kids off the streets quickly, finds them permanent housing and helps them become self-sufficient.

Carly Yoost – Boca Raton, Fla.; Co-founder, Child Rescue Coalition, a non-profit organization that has developed global technology to help law enforcement officials worldwide rescue children from predators and potential sexual attacks.