Photo credit: www.vogue.com
Empowerment Through Leadership: Vital Voices and Estée Lauder Unite for Women
“No nation can progress if half of its population, namely women and girls, are sidelined,” expressed Alyse Nelson, the president and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership. She emphasized that women should not merely be seen as economic contributors or statistics but as a formidable force in leadership.
On a recent evening in the West Village, Vital Voices collaborated with Estée Lauder to bring together influential changemakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders from across the globe. Notable attendees included Diane Von Furstenberg, Karlie Kloss, Imaan Hammam, Indré Rockefeller, and Denise Bidot, all showing their commitment to the initiative.
So far, the partnership between Estée Lauder and Vital Voices has empowered 400 female leaders from 60 different countries through the VV Visionaries leadership program, which spans four generations. Nelson emphasized that this initiative is merely the beginning. The female leaders supported by the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund and Vital Voices are dedicated to addressing pressing issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and gender-based violence.
Expressing pride in the partnership, Nelson stated, “I am truly proud to work alongside Estée Lauder, a brand that recognizes and champions the strength of women. Estée established a legacy that always prioritizes women.”
As the event unfolded in a beautifully adorned lounge, Estée Lauder ambassadors Karlie Kloss and Imaan Hammam mingled with attendees. Kloss was warmly greeted by her Kode With Klossy interns, exclaiming, “Let me get a photo with my girls!” as she hugged them with evident affection.
When Kloss took the stage to present the inaugural recipients of the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Beautiful Forces Grants, she shared her insights as a long-time ambassador: “In my six years with the brand, I have witnessed how Estée Lauder is dedicated to empowering women at every level.” The honorees, hailing from Canada, Chile, Nigeria, and Brazil, exemplified the global reach and impact of this mission.
Amina Mohamed, founder of Cameras for Girls, addressed gender disparity in media by providing African girls with cameras and the necessary training to thrive in media-related fields. In Chile, Maria Consuelo Hermosilla Gonzalez leads Fundación Antonia, an initiative aimed at combating intimate partner violence by providing survivors with essential support and raising community awareness about gender violence. Renata Koch Alvarenga, founder of EmpoderaClima, works to highlight the effects of climate change on women and promotes gender-based climate education among youth. Each honoree expressed their gratitude, moving the audience to tears and applause.
Though unable to attend in person, Olasumbo Adeleke, executive director of Gender Power Africa, was honored from a distance. She is committed to enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, by fostering economic empowerment and providing essential training in rural areas.
As the evening concluded, Nelson delivered a powerful message: “Just envision the waves of good and change that can be initiated. I am confident that Estée Lauder is proud of this impact; we certainly are.”
Source
www.vogue.com