How Estée Lauder and Vital Voices Are Boosting Cameras For Girls
At Cameras For Girls, we've always believed in the transformative power of opportunity. Today, I'm thrilled to share our exciting new partnership with Estée Lauder and Vital Voices through the Estée Lauder Beautiful Forces Grant. This partnership is not just about financial support; it symbolizes a shared commitment to empowering women, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for those who need them most.
I, and the other awardees, with Brand Ambassadors Imaan Hammam and Karlie Kloss on the left and Alyse Nelson from Vital Voices and Justin Boxford, Global Brand President from Estee Lauder on the right.
Why the Estée Lauder Beautiful Forces Grant Matters
Estée Lauder is more than just a global beauty brand—it is a leader in advancing gender equality and social change. The Beautiful Forces Grant supports female-focused initiatives worldwide, helping organizations like ours expand their reach and amplify their impact. For Cameras For Girls, this grant will allow us to expand our flagship program in Uganda from 15 to 75 women, who will receive a camera to keep and a curriculum teaching them photography, ethical storytelling, and business skills to support their goals of pursuing careers in male-dominated media spaces.
With Estée Lauder's support, we can provide even more resources, training, and tools to young women, equipping them with the skills they need to become confident, capable storytellers. This grant is a lifeline that will enable us to reach more young women, impact more lives, and drive our mission forward in new and exciting ways.
Vital Voices: A Network of Resilient Leaders
Our collaboration with Estée Lauder was made possible by the invaluable support of Vital Voices, especially the team of Mayra Tenorio, Regina Da Silva, Zoe Dean Smith, under the leadership of visionary Alyse Nelson. Vital Voices is a global non-profit that champions women leaders worldwide. Vital Voices has a long history of empowering women, and its network includes some of the most resilient and passionate female leaders in the world.
Through Vital Voices, we gain access to a wealth of resources, insights, and connections that will help us to further our missions. Being part of this network means being part of a global movement to uplift women and make lasting change. Their commitment to supporting and nurturing female leaders aligns perfectly with our vision at Cameras For Girls, and we are honoured to be a part of this incredible community.
The Experience of Being Hosted by Two Powerhouse Organizations
Being hosted by Estée Lauder and Vital Voices has been a truly inspiring experience. It started in March 2024, when I, as the Executive Director of Cameras For Girls, was chosen to attend a four-day leadership summit in Washington, DC. I was one of 20 women selected from 150 applicants, which was an incredible accomplishment. Over four days, Estee Lauder spoiled us while we learned advanced leadership skills from Estee and Vital Voices women, who have all broken the glass ceiling.
From there, Estee Lauder announced the inaugural Beautiful Forces Grant. Sixty women from 68 countries applied, and Estee Lauder, in collaboration with Vital Voices, chose me and three other incredible women to receive the grant.
But they did not stop there. We were treated to a full day of events and leadership training at the Estee Lauder offices. We had a makeup session for the podcast interview to be done before we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the Gala event that evening. Each awardee was interviewed by Imaan Hammam, their brand ambassador, the only Muslim woman to be signed up for a major label. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we attended UNGA events. On Wednesday morning, we were hosted by women from the Estee Lauder and Vital Voices network for a breakfast panel, where we were interviewed about our work.
See my speech HERE
How Estée Lauder and Vital Voices Invest in Lasting Impact
From the moment we began working together, it was clear that these organizations were deeply committed to making a difference. Estée Lauder and Vital Voices don't just talk about gender equality—they act on it. During our time with them, we experienced firsthand the dedication they bring to advancing women's causes. From meaningful discussions about best supporting our mission to practical support through mentorship and resources, Estée Lauder and Vital Voices have gone above and beyond to help us succeed. It is rare to find organizations aligned with our values and willing to invest in the growth and sustainability of smaller organizations like ours.
As if the grant wasn't enough, our partnership was highlighted in Vogue, bringing our mission to a new audience. Vogue's article on the Beautiful Forces initiative helps showcase the impact that Estée Lauder and Vital Voices have on female-focused organizations worldwide. For Cameras For Girls, this kind of visibility is priceless. It raises awareness about our mission and helps us reach potential supporters passionate about gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
This exposure through Vogue is a significant milestone for us, as it helps to legitimize our work and reinforces its importance. The article celebrates the beauty of collaboration and the incredible things that happen when powerful organizations come together to make a difference.
Moving Forward with Estée Lauder and Vital Voices
With the support of Estée Lauder and Vital Voices, Cameras For Girls is in a stronger position than ever to grow our programs and create lasting change. This partnership provides us with the resources and visibility we need to expand our reach and continue empowering young women in Africa. We sincerely thank Estée Lauder and Vital Voices for their unwavering support and belief in our mission.
As we move forward, we are excited to work alongside these powerhouse organizations to build a world where every young woman has the tools, skills, and confidence to tell her story and pursue her dreams. Together, we can break down barriers and create a more equitable future for women everywhere.