Voting open for L’Oréal community recognition awards

Voting is now open for L’Oréal’s annual community recognition awards in the US.

The Women of Worth programme recognises women who embody the spirit of the French beauty giant’s cosmetics brand L'Oréal Paris – ‘Because You’re Worth It’ - through commitment to their communities.

From helping victims in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy, to enabling terminally ill seniors accomplish their bucket lists, to building a nonprofit restaurant that helps at-risk youth learn life skills, this year’s nominees come from a wide range of backgrounds.

The 2013 contenders, selected by a panel of judges, each receive $10,000 for their charitable cause. A National Honoree will be awarded an additional $25,000 when voting closes on 20 November.

The contenders for the $25,000 are:

• Somy Ali, president of No More Tears, nonprofit organization devoted to rescuing victims of domestic violence and helping survivors with assistance to meet basic needs; 
• Tricia Baker, co-founder and co-director of Attitudes in Reverse, a nonprofit organization to educate society about mental health and combat negative perceptions about mental illness;
• Patty Boles, executive director of Straight From The Heart, Inc., a nonprofit resource center that provides critical support, mentoring, must-have items and resources for foster children and their caregivers;
• Lauren Book, founder and ceo of Lauren's Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing sexual abuse through public awareness, education and political advocacy, and to help survivors heal;
• Maria D'Angelo,founder, president and ceo of The Children's Lifesaving Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to serving and transforming the lives of homeless and at-risk children and families in LA;
• Kimberly Iverson, founder of Bucket List Foundation, a nonprofit which grants end-of-life or "bucket list" wishes to the terminally ill;
• Lori Lee, founder of Me Fine Foundation, a nonprofit founded in memory of her son Folden Lee, IV, which provides resources and financial assistance to families with children being treated at Duke and UNC Children's Hospitals regardless of race, diagnosis, religious affiliation or economic status;
• Estella Pyfrom, ceo of Estella's Brilliant Bus, a nonprofit fueled by a state-of-the-art mobile learning center and network of opportunities where children and families without home access to technology or internet can learn vital computer skills.
• Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis, teacher and founder of Classes 4 Classes, Inc., a nonprofit organization developed in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy whose mission is for every student in the US to learn compassion, caring, kindness, empathy and consideration;
• Susan Garcia Trieschmann, executive director of Curt's Cafe, a nonprofit restaurant that provides training and support for at-risk youth while offering the community a place to "dine with a purpose".

Votes can be cast at the dedicated website WomenofWorth.com and on the L'Oréal Paris Facebook and Twitter pages.