Alyse Nelson, president and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, aptly stated, “No country can move forward if half the population, women and girls, are left behind.” This sentiment resonated deeply at a recent gathering in the West Village, where Vital Voices, in partnership with Estée Lauder, brought together a constellation of powerful changemakers, founders, and leaders from across the globe.
Among the influential figures present were Diane Von Furstenberg, Karlie Kloss, Imaan Hammam, Indré Rockefeller, and Denise Bidot, all united in their support for Vital Voices’ mission. The event served as a powerful reminder that women are not simply an economic force but a vital driving force for positive change.
Estée Lauder and Vital Voices have already made a significant impact through their VV Visionaries leadership program, which has trained, connected, and supported 400 women leaders across 60 countries and four generations. Nelson emphasized that this is just the beginning of their journey.
The event celebrated the achievements of women leading the charge in tackling critical challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and gender-based violence. These leaders, recognized by the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Beautiful Forces Grants and Vital Voices, are intrinsically motivated to find solutions and refuse to back down from adversity.
“I am immensely proud to partner with Estée Lauder because they truly understand the power of women. Estée started this empire that always put women at the center,” Nelson shared, highlighting the shared values of the two organizations.
Estée Lauder ambassadors Karlie Kloss and Imaan Hammam engaged with guests and honorees, adding a touch of star power to the evening. Kloss, known for her Kode With Klossy initiative, was delighted to be surrounded by her interns, exclaiming, “Let me get a photo with my girls!” with a motherly pride.
Kloss took the stage to introduce the first-ever recipients of the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Beautiful Forces Grants, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to empowering women at all levels. The honorees hailed from Canada, Chile, Nigeria, and Brazil, each embodying the global impact of the partnership’s mission.
Amina Mohamed, founder of Cameras for Girls, is addressing gender disparities in media by equipping girls in Africa with cameras, opening doors to media-based careers. Maria Consuelo Hermosilla Gonzalez, founder of Fundación Antonia, is tackling intimate partner violence in Chile through free care and support for survivors, raising awareness to eradicate gender violence. Renata Koch Alvarenga, founder of EmpoderaClima, is leading a youth-driven organization that raises awareness about the impacts of climate change on women and the importance of gender-transformative climate education.
Each woman shared her gratitude, met with tears of pride and hopeful applause from the audience. Olasumbo Adeleke, executive director of Gender Power Africa, who was unable to attend but honored in spirit, works to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, in rural communities through economic empowerment, training, and capacity building.
Concluding the evening, Nelson left a powerful message, “Just imagine the ripples of good and of change. I know that Estée Lauder would be proud; we certainly are.” The event served as a powerful testament to the collective strength and unwavering commitment of women leading the way toward a more just and equitable world.
