Women Of Worth Gala: L’Oréal Paris Honors The Ordinary Doing The Extraordinary

“No matter where people come from, or what they’re going through, there is always going to be some universal experience that we all understand. And we shouldn’t always have to observe that from one lens, because all our stories matter.”

–L’Oreal spokesperson Aja Naomi King

Sisterhood was in the air when celebrating International Women’s Day last month. What better speakers than Rising Star Award Winner Aja Naomi King and Actra Award winner Amanda Brugel to grace L’Oréal’s red carpet in solidarity celebrating 10 women making history in our communities. L’Oréal’s nominees hailed from all walks of life and used imagination to far exceed difficult circumstances. Turning challenges into opportunities with their signature philanthropic work. The buzz in the room was like no other; the private interviews were not only heartfelt and uplifting but also filled with words to live by.

Photo Gallery by: Isabella Pugiotto @izzydigital

Actress: Aja Naomi King From How To Get Away With Murder

If you could change one thing for women in the entertainment industry, what would it be?

“I firmly believe their need to be more diverse people in the executive room deciding what stories are going to be told in the first place. The more of that we have behind the camera, the more of that diverse storytelling we will be able to engage in and it’s so crucial in terms of really understanding each other’s humanities.”

Actress: Amanda Brugel From The Handmaids Tale

What does it take to create momentous change?

“There is a movement going on right now we keep talking about it, but unless we are willing to continue to do the work and get down and get dirty together, unite together, to continue to push, to continue to break barriers nothing is going to change, and it all starts at the grassroots.”

Nominee: Isabelle Ducharme Founder of Keroul, a program helping people with limited mobility abilities partake in thrill-seeking tourist adventures in Québec City.

What is one thing you do when you’re feeling stuck creatively, to keep yourself motivated?

“I take it upon myself; to make sure I open doors for others that might just stay home because they are afraid, it’s not going to be accessible enough, or it’s going to be too complicated. Maybe they will be able to do the things that they don’t dare do. So it’s like a duty for me, I do it because I love it.”

Nominee: Dr. Adeloa Deborah Olubamiji Founder of the StemHub Foundation, a program empowering girls pursuing careers in the science, technology, engineering, and math sector.

What is the best career advice someone has given you?

“Make sure that you are at the forefront of innovation, anything you want to study, make sure it’s going to be relevant in the next 20 years, 30 years from now.” The advice was given to Dr. Adeloa when she decided to become a physicist at the young age of 8 years old.

L’Oréal’s 2019 Official Honouree: Lynne Rosychuck

Lynne is a mother who tragically lost her daughter in a domestic violence dispute due to the lack of safe homes and resources available in their home city of Halifax. In the midst of despair Lynne, took in her two grandchildren and preserved to create the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation. A program that raises funds to ensure these tragedies are averted.

LASTING IMPRESSION

This event made one thing clear, current circumstances do not dictate future realities. Whether we’re in the boardroom or creators of grassroots movements we all encompass the power of enacting the change we wish to see in the world. So today and every day, it’s important to celebrate the diverse achievements of those who rectify imbalances and promote gender equality so we can lift humanity as a whole. To hear more about these amazing women and their causes tune into: