For the better part of a decade, the Shooting Stars program has been working with Aboriginal girls and young women to not only increase their engagement at school but also strengthen their confidence and cultural identity. Now the not-for-profit has been given a huge boost with the arrival in Australia of Lancôme’s global Write Your Future initiative, which has already assisted more than 75,000 young women in more than 15 countries.
This initiative is partnering with Shooting Stars by providing Lancôme ambassadors to mentor the Indigenous girls, who come from 22 communities across South Australia and Western Australia. The goal is to provide them with the resources and opportunities to help them reach their full potential. In June, marie claire went to Perth for the launch, attended by 37 girls who had travelled long distances from their communities.
At the event, held within Perth Zoo, brand director at Lancôme, Melanie Craig, said that “for decades, Lancôme has been empowering women to be and feel their best. Today we extend this promise of empowerment, through education and opportunity to transform lives, supporting Indigenous girls and women on their journey towards realising their dreams and aspirations.”
Apart from the serious aspects of the program, Lancôme also provided plenty of fun, with makeup stations to give each girl application tips and the chance to play with makeup, enjoy themselves and boost their confidence.
Also at the event were Indigenous author and youth worker Brooke Blurton, and media personality Jesinta Franklin (both friends of Lancôme) to talk to the girls one-on-one and as a group. “Being a young woman in today’s society comes with its challenges at the best of times, let alone when faced with adversity,” said Blurton. “I’m honoured to share some of my own experiences in overcoming challenges I’ve faced to believe my dreams are within my grasp, in the hopes these stories resonate with the young women before me and inspire them for their futures.”
The Write Your Future program further cements the L’Oréal Groupe’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, said Alex Davison, ANZ CEO of L’Oréal Groupe (which owns Lancôme). “At L’Oréal, we are guided by a common purpose to ‘create the beauty that moves the world’, and we know we have a responsibility to make a meaningful impact in the communities we work in each day,” he said.
“Having the opportunity to partner with Shooting Stars to support and walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and women is fantastic for both our brand Lancôme and the L’Oréal Groupe in Australia.” Helen Ockerby, executive officer at Shooting Stars, is also excited. “We are delighted to partner with a brand as committed to celebrating diversity as Lancôme,” she said. “Together, we will work towards creating a brighter and more inclusive future, where every individual has the opportunity to choose their own path, pursue their passions and achieve their goals.”
Read more about Lancôme’s Write Your Future initiative at lancome.com.au
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
