Mary Kay, company-sponsored foundations gave millions for women's causes

Female entrepreneurs in Chuxiong, Yunnan Province increased their income and helped preserve the Yunnan Embroidery cultural industry thanks to Mary Kay Women’s Entrepreneurship Program. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Iconic beauty brand Mary Kay along with its company-sponsored foundations gave over US$3 million to support women’s causes worldwide in 2022. (US$1=RM4.33)

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation (MKAF) has funded 37 cancer researchers conducting groundbreaking research against cancers affecting women in the United States.

According to Mary Kay in a statement, 43 per cent of MKAF cancer research projects and 100 per cent of clinical trials are led by women, in which MKAF has funded nearly US$1.7 million in grants for cancers affecting women.

As for gender-based violence, MKAF funded nearly US$1.4 million in grants supporting services for women survivors of domestic violence, and supported four local domestic violence shelters in North Texas providing women seeking help with vital resources and safety, to name a few.

In collaboration with Mary Kay, MKAF supported global partners committed to ending violence against women and girls, including CARE and the UN Trust Fund. Together, MKAF partners completed over 550 projects globally.

Next, for women and their families, Mary Kay China and its company-sponsored programmes and fund have provided support via Mary Kay Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme; Young Women’s Future Fund; and Mary Kay China Charity Programme.

In cooperation with China Women’s Development Foundation, interest-free revolving loans were provided to four women entrepreneur initiatives in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Ningxia, and Jilin, which benefited 133 women by increasing their annual per capita income.

Furthermore, the Young Women’s Future Fund remaining balance will be used to build four Mary Kay Dream Classrooms in Jiangxi to enhance girls’ literacy education in cooperation with Adream Foundation.

As an entrepreneurship development company, Mary Kay is committed to empowering women on their journey to economic independence through education, mentorship, advocacy, networking and innovation.

-- BERNAMA