All charities rely on large sums of money from charitable donors to operate and carry out their work, whatever their cause; however, statistically women are the most vulnerable members of society and consequently there are many women's charities in need of assistance. Women celebrities often use their power and status to help women in a less fortunate position than themselves.
Salma Hayek's Charity Work
Actress Salma Hayek, 43, is a Mexican native who founded her own charity, The Salma Hayek Foundation, in an attempt to raise awareness and aid to women who have been abused; Salma Hayek is passionate about helping prevent violence against women. Since the birth of her daughter, Valentina, in 2007, Salma Hayek has increased her charity work to include helping children too.
Christina Aguilera's Charity Work
American singer Christina Aguilera, 29, supports a number of charities that help women; Christina Aguilera's support of women's charities has included:
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
- Kerry Women Together (helping improve local employment and business opportunities)
- National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (no longer in operation).
Oprah Winfrey's Charity Work
T.V. celebrity Oprah Winfrey, 56, has used her considerable power and wealth to help a number of charities, including women's charities. Oprah Winfrey is no stranger to poverty or abuse; her mother was an unwed teenager, and Oprah suffered sexual abuse and rape as a teenager, giving birth to a premature baby at the age of 14 years old. Oprah Winfrey has supported the following charities which help women:
- Lower East Side Girls Club
- Women for Women International
- Charlize Theron African Outreach Project
- Oprah's Angel Network.
Michelle Obama's Charity Work
Michelle Obama, 46, as wife of the President of the United States, has considerable power in assisting and using her influence to help women who are less fortunate than herself; with two young daughters, Malia and Sasha, Michelle Obama has become a role model to young women in America. Glamour magazine awarded Michelle Obama a Special Recognition Award in the 2009 Glamour Awards in recognition of her “commitment to mentoring young women.” In addition, Michelle Obama has helped in the promotion of breast cancer awareness.
Halle Berry's Charity Work
Actress Halle Berry, 44, has reported that she suffered domestic violence in the past, as did her mother before her, which led to her own choice of abusive men; however, Halle Berry has now used her experiences to speak out and help other women who have been abused. In addition, Halle Berry has supported the following charities which help women:
- Callaway Golf's Foundation Women's Cancer Initiative
- Revlon Run/Walk for Women
and was a 2009 recipient of Love Our Children USA “Mothers Who Make a Difference.”
Celebrity Women Helping Women
There are many more celebrity women who help women and women's charities; celebrity women often use their personal experiences to highlight a particular cause . By using a combination of experience, power and money, celebrity women can help other women, who are less fortunate than themselves, achieve a better life and status.
References:
- Look to the Stars – The World of Celebrity Giving web site, accessed February 11 2010
- The U.K. Guardian/Observer web site, Oprah's Path to Power, Nicole Mowbray, 3/2/2003, accessed Feb 11 2010
- Extra T.V. web site, Halle Berry Crusades to Stop Domestic Violence, 10/3/2005, accessed February 11 2010
Sharon Falsetto - Sharon Falsetto is a business owner, certified clinical aromatherapist & professional writer with a life-long interest in plants.
