Mary Kay Inc., the iconic Dallas, Texas-based beauty brand, and women’s fraternity Alpha Chi Omega recently announced the winners of a social media contest held during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October to inspire healthy relationships among young people.
For the contest, Alpha Chi Omega encouraged its members to work together against domestic violence. Collegian and alumnae members submitted photos on Alpha Chi Omega’s Facebook page displaying a commitment to help raise awareness of the epidemic while also serving domestic violence organizations. Supporters viewed the gallery of submissions and then voted for their favorite photo. The entries with the most votes were awarded monetary prizes for donation to a domestic violence organization of the collegian or alumna’s choice.
The winners were:
- Grand prize: Karley Parker, Delta Kappa, Sam Houston State University – $3,000 donation to SAAFE House
- Second place: Maddy Binz, Theta, University of Michigan – $2,000 donation to Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan
- Third place: Ashley Conner, Kappa Rho, University of North Carolina Charlotte – $1,000 donation to Safe Alliance Shelter
The contest furthered Mary Kay’s Don’t Look Away campaign, which works to educate the public on recognizing the signs of an abusive relationship and how to take action. Mary Kay is committed to spreading the message, “Don’t Look Away,” when it comes to abuse.
For more than two decades, Alpha Chi Omega, which was founded in 1885 at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, has committed itself to addressing domestic violence in its many forms. Its collegiate and alumnae chapters across the country work closely with local shelters, university women’s centers and other Panhellenic groups to combat the issue. The safety and well-being of its members, and its long-standing dedication to ending domestic violence and sexual assault, are the core of its campus and community engagement.
To date, Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay Foundation have given $57 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs in an effort to end the cycle of abuse. Mary Kay also is the lead sponsor of the nation’s first-ever text-based helpline operated by loveisrespect. By simply texting “loveis” to 22522, teens and young adults are safely and discreetly connected to trained peer advocates who provide support, safety tips and referrals.
