L'Oréal Paris Champions 21 Years of Grassroots Impact, Announcing the 2026 Class of Women of Worth Honorees

Entering its third decade, the brand's signature philanthropic initiative awards $250,000 in grants to 10 visionary female nonprofit founders turning lived experience into nationwide change.

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, L'Oréal Paris USA proudly announces the 2026 class of Women of Worth honorees, recognizing 10 extraordinary female nonprofit leaders whose courage and vision are transforming communities nationwide. Each founder has channeled personal adversity into a powerful catalyst for good, establishing groundbreaking ventures that provide critical resources to vulnerable populations. To fuel their momentum, each honoree receives a $25,000 grant, alongside strategic mentorship and national visibility across L'Oréal Paris' platforms.

For more than 50 years, L'Oréal Paris has championed a singular, defining truth: that when a woman believes she's worth it, there is nothing she cannot do. For over two decades, the Women of Worth program has brought this belief to life, investing in 210 women whose work spans vital causes—from mental health and education to environmental justice and disability inclusion. Each milestone serves as living proof that when a woman recognizes her inherent worth, she unlocks the power to change the world around her.

The 2026 honorees embody this spirit, pioneering solutions in fertility preservation for cancer survivors, support for human trafficking and gender violence survivors, inclusive STEM and design education, and workforce equity.

"Women of Worth is the beating heart of our brand," said Laura Branik, President of L'Oréal Paris USA. "It is the ultimate expression of our belief that when a woman knows she's worth it, she can change everything. We are immensely proud to stand behind these incredible non-profit leaders, giving them the platform and resources to scale their vision and deepen their impact."

Amplifying this year's class on a national stage is actress, producer, and advocate Kristen Bell, in her debut as L'Oréal Paris' newest global brand ambassador.

"I am so deeply honored to be part of this year's Women of Worth celebration," said Bell. "Here's the thing about L'Oréal Paris that I love — they don't just tell women they're worth it, they actually hand you the tools to go prove it to yourself. And these honorees? They took one spark of something they cared about and turned it into an actual force — the kind that doesn't stop with them. It ripples. It reaches the next person, and the next. That's what owning your worth really looks like — not something you keep for yourself, but something you pass down the line. That's inspiring."

In partnership with Points of Light, the program's official nonprofit partner, L'Oréal Paris has selected the following 2026 Women of Worth Honorees:

• Amanda Rice – Austin, Texas; Founder & CEO, The Chick Mission: Removing financial barriers to fertility preservation for young women diagnosed with cancer.
• Arielle Galinsky – Canton, Massachusetts; Co-Founder & CEO, The Legacy Project, Inc.: Connecting younger and older adults through multigenerational friendship and storytelling.
• Chanel Power – New York, New York; Founder & CEO, Mentor Me Collective: Creating pathways for first-generation technologists to build careers in tech.
• Christie Brungardt – Hays, Kansas; Founder & Board Member, Jana's Campaign: Delivering education-based gender and relationship violence prevention programs.
• Christy Vogel – St. Petersburg, Florida; Founder & Executive Director, Sounding Joy: Providing hearing aids and life-changing access to sound for children in need.
• Emily Cho – Bergen County, New Jersey; Founder & Executive Director, Juvie for STEM: Expanding access to high-quality STEM education for justice-involved youth.
• Jordan Pine – Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; Founder & CEO, Greenlight Operation: Combating human trafficking and delivering restorative care for survivors.
• Marisa Hamamoto – Los Angeles, California; Founder & CEO, Infinite Flow Dance: A disability-led nonprofit and professional dance company reimagining possibilities.
• Maya Bird-Murphy – Chicago, Illinois; Founder & Executive Director, Mobile Makers Chicago: Expanding design education and architectural equity for underserved youth.
• Vy Le – Olympia, Washington; Founder & CEO, WhereWear: Transforming clothing donations into targeted support for women's shelters and unhoused individuals.

As Women of Worth enters its third decade, L'Oréal Paris invites the public to celebrate this milestone and support these changemakers at www.WomenOfWorth.com.

About Points of Light Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to take action through volunteering and civic engagement. Operating across 32 countries, the organization galvanizes over 3.8 million volunteers to meet critical community needs. Learn more at www.pointsoflight.org.

About L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth For 21 years, L'Oréal Paris' signature philanthropic program has brought its iconic tagline—"Because You're Worth It"—to life by honoring grassroots female leaders. Each year, ten founders receive financial grants, professional network mentorship, and a national stage to elevate their charitable missions.

About L'Oréal Paris USA The L'Oréal Paris division of L'Oréal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care brand dedicated to empowering women by offering innovative products and services in the mass market. Born in 1973, the brand's signature tagline, "Because You're Worth It," celebrates the intrinsic self-worth of women worldwide across hair color, haircare, skincare, and cosmetics. Discover more at www.LOrealParisUSA.com or follow @LOrealParisUSA on Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest and @LOrealParis on Instagram.

SOURCE L'Oréal Paris