DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In late March, Mary Kay Inc. announced the company would dedicate part of its global supply chain and manufacturing capabilities to producing much-needed hand sanitizer. Today, the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation announced it will donate thousands of those hand sanitizers units, along with much-needed grants, to domestic violence shelters across Canada.
“Studies show during periods of national and global crisis, we see a dramatic in the frequency and severity of domestic violence situations,” said Lynda Rose, Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. General Manager and board member of the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation. “It is our hope that these supplies and monetary donations will offer some relief for our valuable shelters across Canada to better serve the women and children in their communities.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent infections. But because of consumer demand, there’s been a great shortage in CDC-recommended hand sanitizer in homes and healthcare settings.
According to UN Women, violence against women and girls during COVID-19 is a “shadow pandemic.” Globally, 243 million women and girls aged 15-49 have been subjected to sexual and or physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in the previous 12 months. The number is likely to increase as security, health and money worries heighten tensions and strains are accentuated by cramped and confined living conditions. Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women and girls (VAWG), and particularly domestic violence, has intensified.
Nearly 50 shelters across Canada will receive the hand sanitizer donations, and each will also receive a grant for $2,000. Earlier this year, The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation also issued $100,000 in domestic violence grants to ten domestic violence shelters.
Mary Kay has long recognized the importance of protecting women experiencing domestic violence. The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation is supported by Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants in Canada, Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd., and is an important part of the legacy of company founder, Mary Kay Ash.
“Our shelter grant program has been, and continues to be, a top priority for the Foundation,” added Rose. “We stand in solidarity with those battling this pandemic on the front lines, especially domestic violence shelters who open their doors when so many are forced closed.”
About The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation
The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation was established in Canada in 2001, and its mission is two-fold: to support women living with cancer through the Look Good…Feel Better® program and to help end violence against women by providing grants to women's shelters and community outreach programs. Since then, it has awarded $1,241,100 to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence and over $735,000 to help women going through cancer treatment throughout Canada. From every dollar raised, 96 cents goes to these two important causes. To learn more about The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, visit www.marykay.ca.
About Mary Kay
One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her beauty company more than 56 years ago with three goals: develop rewarding opportunities for women, offer irresistible products, and make the world a better place. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skin care, color cosmetics, and fragrances. Mary Kay is committed to empowering women and their families by partnering with organizations from around the world, focusing on supporting cancer research, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Mary Kay Ash’s original vision continues to shine—one lipstick at a time. Learn more at MaryKay.ca.