Denver Nonprofit, Gwen Stefani, Urban Decay Unite for Women: Urban Decay Taps Stefani, Denver’s Karen Sugar in Initiative for Global Women’s Rights
Karen Sugar, founder of Denver-based Women's Global Empowerment Fund, will be teaming up with recording artist Gwen Stefani and cosmetics manufacturer, Urban Decay, to promote women's empowerment around the globe.
Denver, CO, March 18, 2015 --(PR.com)-- International cosmetics manufacturer, Urban Decay, has announced the launch of The Ultraviolet Edge, the company’s global initiative to empower women.
The two women initially tapped as embodying the mission of The Ultraviolet Edge are famed recording artist Gwen Stefani and Denver’s own Karen Sugar, founder of Women's Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF), which gives women the opportunity to rebuild their lives in post-conflict Uganda.
“I am very excited to be working with Gwen Stefani and Urban Decay,” said Sugar. “As the first beneficiary of The Ultraviolet Edge initiative, we at WGEF feel very lucky to be able to create many more opportunities for women and families.”
Through microloans and leadership development, WGEF enables women to establish themselves as strong, independent entrepreneurs. Empowering these women to find their voice gives them the confidence to become leaders in their communities and fight for the rights of women everywhere.
For the first donation, Urban Decay will partner with Stefani and Sugar and the initial funds earmarked for WGEF will go towards:
· Microloans and business training for 1,400 women
· Literacy programs for 250 women
· Leadership development initiatives ensuring women have "a seat at the policy table"
· On-the-ground infrastructure and local staffing to support the program
As part of their efforts, Urban Decay will be recognizing inspirational women who rock their world—starting with a woman they've admired forever: Gwen Stefani. Like Urban Decay, she has a history of breaking down barriers and hails from Orange County, California. The makeup junkies at Urban Decay love Gwen's innate ability to set trends and defy expectations. She also shares their passion for empowering women and will help give this initiative the attention it deserves.
Women's rights is a complicated landscape with many worthy causes, so Urban Decay decided to pool together the money raised by The Ultraviolet Edge, which will give them the flexibility to support a variety of organizations that are doing incredible things to empower women. With this new initiative, UD plans to donate three million dollars to causes that support women over the next five years alone. By supporting organizations that fight for the rights of women everywhere, Urban Decay encourages all women to embrace their individuality in everything they do.
Getting involved is as simple as buying something most makeup junkies probably use anyway: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. One hundred percent of the purchase price of the new, limited-edition shade, Enigma, goes towards The Ultraviolet Edge. In turn, this money will provide grants for Karen's organization and other causes dedicated to women throughout the year. Enigma Eyeshadow Primer Potion is the first in a series of limited-edition products that will fund The Ultraviolet Edge.
About Women's Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF)
WGEF is a Denver-based non-profit working in post conflict northern Uganda, providing microfinance, educational and leadership development opportunities for women and families. WGEF's program is a unique initiative which strives to develop programs that produce reductions in poverty and the marginalization of women and their families by providing economic and educational opportunities for sustainability and self-determination. WGEF’s mission is to work for social justice, increased human security and women's empowerment. WGEF believes that when given real opportunities, women can rise above extreme poverty with dignity. For more information please see www.wgefund.org www.wgef.tumblr.com
About Urban Decay Cosmetics
The story opens 15 years ago, when pink, red, and beige enslaved the prestige beauty market. Heaven forbid you wanted purple or green nails, because you'd either have to whip out a marker, or risk life and limb with that back alley drugstore junk. Flying in the face of this monopoly, Sandy Lerner (cofounder of Cisco Systems) made a bold decision: if the cosmetic industry's "big boys" couldn't satisfy her alternative makeup tastes, she'd satisfy them herself. Fatefully, Sandy was introduced to her fellow visionary Wende Zomnir. A creative businesswoman (and makeup addict), Wende also recognized the color void and determined a shake-up was in order. They unleashed Urban Decay in January of 1996 with a line of 10 lipsticks and 12 nail enamels. Today, Wende steers Urban Decay's ongoing growth as Chief Creative Officer, along with Tim Warner, Chief Executive Officer. Their acquisition by L'Oreal and ever-expanding global presence proves what Wende and Sandy always knew – makeup wearers everywhere crave alternatives. Almost 20 years later, their moms are proud, "Urban Decay" is no longer such a crazy name for a makeup company, and young women today have never known a world where they couldn't get purple nail polish over the counter. Mission accomplished.
The two women initially tapped as embodying the mission of The Ultraviolet Edge are famed recording artist Gwen Stefani and Denver’s own Karen Sugar, founder of Women's Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF), which gives women the opportunity to rebuild their lives in post-conflict Uganda.
“I am very excited to be working with Gwen Stefani and Urban Decay,” said Sugar. “As the first beneficiary of The Ultraviolet Edge initiative, we at WGEF feel very lucky to be able to create many more opportunities for women and families.”
Through microloans and leadership development, WGEF enables women to establish themselves as strong, independent entrepreneurs. Empowering these women to find their voice gives them the confidence to become leaders in their communities and fight for the rights of women everywhere.
For the first donation, Urban Decay will partner with Stefani and Sugar and the initial funds earmarked for WGEF will go towards:
· Microloans and business training for 1,400 women
· Literacy programs for 250 women
· Leadership development initiatives ensuring women have "a seat at the policy table"
· On-the-ground infrastructure and local staffing to support the program
As part of their efforts, Urban Decay will be recognizing inspirational women who rock their world—starting with a woman they've admired forever: Gwen Stefani. Like Urban Decay, she has a history of breaking down barriers and hails from Orange County, California. The makeup junkies at Urban Decay love Gwen's innate ability to set trends and defy expectations. She also shares their passion for empowering women and will help give this initiative the attention it deserves.
Women's rights is a complicated landscape with many worthy causes, so Urban Decay decided to pool together the money raised by The Ultraviolet Edge, which will give them the flexibility to support a variety of organizations that are doing incredible things to empower women. With this new initiative, UD plans to donate three million dollars to causes that support women over the next five years alone. By supporting organizations that fight for the rights of women everywhere, Urban Decay encourages all women to embrace their individuality in everything they do.
Getting involved is as simple as buying something most makeup junkies probably use anyway: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. One hundred percent of the purchase price of the new, limited-edition shade, Enigma, goes towards The Ultraviolet Edge. In turn, this money will provide grants for Karen's organization and other causes dedicated to women throughout the year. Enigma Eyeshadow Primer Potion is the first in a series of limited-edition products that will fund The Ultraviolet Edge.
About Women's Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF)
WGEF is a Denver-based non-profit working in post conflict northern Uganda, providing microfinance, educational and leadership development opportunities for women and families. WGEF's program is a unique initiative which strives to develop programs that produce reductions in poverty and the marginalization of women and their families by providing economic and educational opportunities for sustainability and self-determination. WGEF’s mission is to work for social justice, increased human security and women's empowerment. WGEF believes that when given real opportunities, women can rise above extreme poverty with dignity. For more information please see www.wgefund.org www.wgef.tumblr.com
About Urban Decay Cosmetics
The story opens 15 years ago, when pink, red, and beige enslaved the prestige beauty market. Heaven forbid you wanted purple or green nails, because you'd either have to whip out a marker, or risk life and limb with that back alley drugstore junk. Flying in the face of this monopoly, Sandy Lerner (cofounder of Cisco Systems) made a bold decision: if the cosmetic industry's "big boys" couldn't satisfy her alternative makeup tastes, she'd satisfy them herself. Fatefully, Sandy was introduced to her fellow visionary Wende Zomnir. A creative businesswoman (and makeup addict), Wende also recognized the color void and determined a shake-up was in order. They unleashed Urban Decay in January of 1996 with a line of 10 lipsticks and 12 nail enamels. Today, Wende steers Urban Decay's ongoing growth as Chief Creative Officer, along with Tim Warner, Chief Executive Officer. Their acquisition by L'Oreal and ever-expanding global presence proves what Wende and Sandy always knew – makeup wearers everywhere crave alternatives. Almost 20 years later, their moms are proud, "Urban Decay" is no longer such a crazy name for a makeup company, and young women today have never known a world where they couldn't get purple nail polish over the counter. Mission accomplished.
Contact
Women's Global Empowerment Fund
Karen Sugar
303-520-7656
wgefund.org
Karen Sugar
303-520-7656
wgefund.org
Contact
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