Houston Area Domestic Violence Survivors Receive Surprise Mary Kay Makeovers
As part of Dallas, Texas-based Mary Kay’s Global Day of Beauty, the cosmetics giant joined its independent salesforce to provide pampering sessions for women in need. The recent event at Preston Theater in Houston, Texas, included hair-styling, makeup application and other activities to help the women make a fresh start. From the United States to China, Mary Kay markets worldwide will participate in the global initiative.
The survivors in attendance at the U.S. event are clients from Bay Area Turning Point, a community shelter that provides direct services to children, adults and families experiencing domestic and sexual violence in Houston and the surrounding area. Many of the women are currently living in emergency housing or are in transition while trying to rebuild their lives after fleeing an abusive relationship.
“For women who have overcome unspeakable abuse, a surprise day of beauty is much more than a luxury—it’s a boost of self-confidence, a fresh, new start and a much-needed and well-deserved break from a traumatic time in their lives,” said Brenda Sykes, interim president and CEO at Bay Area Turning Point. “To see the look of pure joy and excitement on the women’s faces was indescribable. We are so thankful for corporate partners like Mary Kay Inc. who remain committed to not only support programs to help prevent and end domestic violence but to also honor survivors of an epidemic that impacts one in four women in our country.”
Bay Area Turning Point is one of 150 domestic violence shelters to receive a 2017 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation. Each year, the Foundation awards $20,000 in unrestricted grants to 150 shelters across the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for a total of $3 million. To date, Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay Foundation have given $57 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs nationwide to end the cycle of abuse.
“In a united effort by Mary Kay and its independent salesforce spanning the globe, we are proud to honor deserving women through our Global Day of Beauty program while also raising awareness of an epidemic that impacts families in every country and culture,” said Anne Crews, board member of The Mary Kay Foundation and vice president of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc. “For decades, Mary Kay has been committed to ending domestic violence. This special event in Houston and similar events worldwide not only empower women but also remind them of their beauty and self-worth.”
Deserving women worldwide, including teachers, nurses, military veterans, cancer survivors, caregivers and survivors of domestic abuse, will receive the gift of beauty as part of Global Day of Beauty. The program is a component of Mary Kay’s Don’t Look Away campaign, which works to educate the public on recognizing the signs of an abusive relationship, how to take action and to raise awareness of support services.
