For Immediate Release
Contact: Mike Leone
Vice President, Marketing and Communications Strategy, YWCA USA

OCTOBER 25, 2024 – YWCA USA, in partnership with Ulta Beauty, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its innovative National Pretty Empowered Event to eight local YWCA locations across the country on November 2, 2024 – doubling the funding and impact of the initiative compared to 2023 and reaching an estimated 800 girls with life-changing well-being resources.

Pretty Empowered is designed to engage students through a series of interactive sessions that focus on various aspects of wellness, cosmetic science, supply chain logistics, and career exploration. The program emphasizes the importance of self-care and confidence, the exploration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, and creating a positive sense of connection, aiming to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders.

Launched in 2022 by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago with funding from the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation, the Pretty Empowered initiative has quickly grown in scope and impact. Initially starting with a single site, the program grew to four locations in 2023 and hosted 400 participants. 89% of girls who participated at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago agreed or strongly agreed that they understood the value of self-care and self-confidence and 90% said that they better understood the value of leadership after being a part of Pretty Empowered.

This year, YWCA and Ulta Beauty will double their impact with the goal of reaching 800 total participants at eight Local Associations nationwide, including YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region, YWCA Glendale & Pasadena, YWCA Greater Atlanta, YWCA Kitsap County, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis, YWCA Northern New Jersey, and YWCA South Florida. Doubling the number of participating sites from the previous year marks a significant milestone in the program’s mission to empower young women and girls through education and career exploration.

"We are incredibly excited to expand the 'Pretty Empowered' initiative this year," said YWCA USA CEO, Margaret Mitchell. "Our partnership with Ulta Beauty and the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation allows us to reach more young women and girls, providing them with invaluable resources and opportunities to explore their sense of well-being, interests in STEM and leadership. This program is a testament to our commitment to empowering the next generation and fostering a diverse and inclusive future."

Ulta Beauty’s support has been instrumental in the initiative's growth. Through the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation, the company is committed to supporting the holistic well-being of women and teens – a mission that aligns perfectly with YWCA USA’s goal to eliminate racism and empower women. Together, they are creating a platform that not only educates but also inspires participants to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination.

"Ulta Beauty is honored to partner with YWCA USA on the Pretty Empowered initiative," said Amiee Bayer-Thomas, chief store operations officer at Ulta Beauty and board member for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. "Through my involvement with YWCA, I have seen firsthand the power of helping young women and girls gain the confidence and capabilities they need to believe, dream and pursue their passions. We’re thrilled to bring Pretty Empowered events to twice as many cities this year, and we hope to grow the program’s scale and impact even more in the future.”  

More than 200 Ulta Beauty volunteers and YWCA staff members will be supporting this year’s Pretty Empowered events, which will feature hands-on workshops, mentorship opportunities, and discussions led by industry professionals. Participants will gain insights into critical well-being resources and the cosmetic industry’s scientific and logistical aspects while developing essential leadership and life skills.

For more information about the Pretty Empowered initiative, please visit ywca.org or contact Mike Leone at mleone@ywca.org.

About YWCA USA

YWCA USA is a powerful network of nearly 200 community-based, grassroots organizations with the collective mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Through membership in World YWCA, we are also a proud part of a global women’s rights movement with the goal of engaging 100 million young women and girls to transform power structures to create justice, gender equality, and a world without violence and war by the year 2035.

YWCAs are on the ground in towns, cities, and counties across the United States, providing the services that women need most, from safety for domestic and sexual violence survivors to affordable housing and childcare. Using our collective action at the local level, YWCA USA lifts women’s voices to impact social and policy change at the state and national levels. We believe that this unique combination of services, advocacy, and social change will lead to a world where ALL women, girls, and gender-diverse people, especially those of color, are free from racism and sexism, experience justice and equity, and are empowered to thrive. As a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization, YWCA USA is prohibited from endorsing or opposing candidates for elected office.

For more information, visit ywca.org.

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