L'Oréal Paris Celebrates Canadian Humanitarians with Announcement of 2018 Women of Worth Honourees

Signature philanthropic program honours ten inspiring volunteers with total of $110,000 in charitable grants

Public invited to vote for 2018 National Honouree at womenofworth.ca 

MONTREAL, Feb. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - L'Oréal Paris today proudly announced the awe-inspiring recipients of its second annual Canadian Women of Worth program. The signature philanthropic program embodies the brand's belief that 'Every Woman Is Worth It' by honouring women who find beauty in giving back. On International Woman's Day (March 8), the 10 Women of Worth Honourees will be celebrated and awarded $110,000 in charitable grants at a star-studded Awards Gala in Toronto hosted by award-winning actress and L'Oréal Paris spokesperson, Helen Mirren.

L'Oréal Paris Celebrates Canadian Humanitarians with Announcement of 2018 Women of Worth Honourees (CNW Group/L'Oreal Paris)

"We are astounded by our 2018 Canadian Women of Worth Honourees and the humanitarian work they champion to help so many people including refugees, homeless, food insecure, cancer patients and autistic adults. It is our honour and privilege to recognize this year's exceptional Honourees and help shine a spotlight on their inspirational work on International Women's Day," said Milan Mladjenovic, General Manager, L'Oréal Paris in Canada.

The Women of Worth program honours Canadian women who selflessly volunteer their time to serve and improve the lives of those in need. Selected from an impressive pool of public nominations, each Honouree was chosen by an esteemed judging panel based on the impact of the cause she's championed and innovation she has demonstrated to benefit those less fortunate.

Each Honouree will receive a $10,000 grant for her charity, as well as a trip for two to the Awards Gala in Toronto and marketing support to increase visibility for her charity from L'Oréal Paris.

Public Invited to Vote for National Honouree
One of the 10 Women of Worth Honourees will be selected as the National Honouree and will be awarded an additional $10,000 grant for her non-profit cause at the Awards Gala. The public can visit womenofworth.ca to read more details about each Honouree's inspirational cause and vote for their favourite until March 4. Voters can cast one online vote per email address each day. These votes will be a core factor in the judging panel's selection of the 2018 National Honouree.

The 2018 Women of Worth Honourees are:

• Carol Todd, The Amanda Todd Legacy in Port Coquitlam, BC promotes mental wellness and healthy living by improving awareness of bullying, cyber abuse and internet safety
  
  
• Chantal Bernatchez, Association Vergers d'Afrique in Montreal has assisted nearly 5,000 women from Burkina Faso to create revenue producing activities to help fight poverty
  
  
• Dr. Jane Vermeulen, Vets for Pets in Victoria, BC provides free veterinary care to over 60 pets a month on a consistent basis to homeless and low-income pet owners
  
  
• Hazar Mahayni, Syrian Kids Foundation in Montreal offers education, humanitarian relief & social services to Syrian refugee children from different backgrounds, sects and religions
  
  
• Lise-Marie Gravel, Autism Without Limits in Montreal spearheads the inclusion and personal fulfillment of autistic adults in social and learning environments
  
  
• Lourdes Juan, The Leftovers Foundation in Calgary rescues 4,000 lbs. food per week from being thrown in landfill and delivers to service agencies in need
  
  
• Maike van Niekerk, Katrin's Karepackage in Halifax advocates for cancer patients in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland by offsetting travel costs for cancer-related appointments
  
  
• Stachen Frederick, BrAIDS for AIDS in Toronto raises awareness of HIV/AIDS within the African, Caribbean and Black community through cultural practice of hair braiding
  
  
• Subhra Mukherjee, Sai Dham Food Bank in Mississauga, ON is open 24/7 providing free deliveries of nutritious food to seniors and frail adults struggling with hunger across 9 cities
  
  
• Victoria Plouffe, Beads of Courage in Calgary helps children & teens with serious illness to record, tell and own their stories of courage through programs of narrative medicine

For more information about the Women of Worth program or to learn more about the 2018 Honourees visit womenofworth.ca.

ABOUT L'ORÉAL PARIS 
The L'Oréal Paris division of L'Oréal Canada is a total beauty care brand dedicated to empowering women by offering the most luxurious and innovative products and services available in the mass market. The brand's signature tagline, "Because I'm Worth It" celebrates the beauty and intrinsic self-worth of women. L'Oréal Paris provides women and men around the world with products in four major beauty categories: hair colour, haircare, skincare and cosmetics. For more information about L'Oréal Paris visit lorealparis.ca or follow on Twitter @LOrealParisCAN, Facebook @LOrealParisCanada or Instagram @LOrealMakeup #womenofworthCAN.

SOURCE L'Oreal Paris

Media Contacts: L'Oréal Paris, Jessica Zagari, 514-886-9395, [email protected]; Cowan & Company, Katherine Clark / Karina Moskvitin, 416-462-8773, [email protected], [email protected]