On it's 125th anniversary, Avon announces $1 million fund to end violence against women

Award-winning actress and Avon Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon joined Avon Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung to launch the company's 125th Anniversary year through 16-city "Avon Believe World Tour", to celebrate the company's heritage and belief in its mission to empower women. Throughout 2011, approximately 125,000 Avon Representatives are expected to participate in the Avon Believe World Tour as it visits Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, London, Istanbul, New York, Chicago, Mexico City, Warsaw, Moscow, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Manila, Shanghai, New Delhi and Johannesburg.

During the first event in Atlanta, Witherspoon and Jung announced the creation of a new $1 million Avon Global Believe Fund that will launch a pioneering global effort to support women's domestic violence shelters and agencies in each of the 16 cities on the tour. This global effort also aims to draw attention to the alarming lack of adequate services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence in communities everywhere.

"As the company for women, Avon feels an obligation and responsibility to play a leadership role in helping to improve the lives of women around the world, and we truly believe we can make a difference," says CEO Andrea Jung. "Avon was founded in 1886, on the then-revolutionary concept that women could earn an independent income, and achieve financial freedom and personal empowerment. Decade in and decade out, the "Avon lady' has been at the forefront of the changing role of women. Today, Avon is the largest engine of economic opportunity for women on earth, serving more than six million Avon Representatives in over 100 countries. In addition, the Avon Foundation for Women is the largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women, and Avon global philanthropy has donated more than $800 million to improve women's health and safety around the world."

2011 also marks the completion of 15 years for Avon India. Speaking on the occasion, Hemant Singh, Managing Director ' Avon India said, "For 125 years, we have strived to make a difference in the lives of women across the globe. This year Avon India also achieves a milestone with completion of 15 years. It is indeed a moment of pride for all of us. We hope to continue changing lives beautifully, in the years to come!"

Announcing the Avon Global Believe Fund for domestic violence, Avon Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon commented: "I am so proud to be working with Avon ' a company that is on the forefront of women's issues around the world. Approximately one in three women globally is likely to experience some type of violence in her lifetime. It's a sad fact, and I believe we all have an obligation to address this vitally important issue, one of the most prevalent yet underfunded problems in the world."