When my kids were younger and I was a stay-a-home Mom, Avon gave me the opportunity to make extra money while working from home.  It also gave me a chance to get out of the house a few times a week to socialize with adults when I delivered the orders.

Avon has always been part of our family.  My kids have helped me put labels on books and stamp books since they were only about five years old.  They have gone on deliveries with me and met lots of great people.  Now when they go with me, people can’t believe how old they are and remember when I delivered orders with them in a stroller.

I have worked in the public school system the past two years so have not spent as much time on Avon as I did the previous years when I was home full-time.  One of the great things about having my own Avon business is that I can spend as much or a little time on it depending on my current situation.  During the Summer months, when I do not have a regular paycheck coming in, I can spend more time on my Avon business and bring in more money.
Over the past two years, my business has gone more towards online orders than personal delivery.  With the new technology, it is just the natural way to go.  Customers can browse through the current Avon catalog including special sale flyers and outlet books 24/7 on my website.  I am still able to interact virtually with my customers and give them a personal touch with their online shopping, which I really enjoy.  It is fun to meet new customers online and connect with old ones.

It is a win-win situation to work for a company such as Avon that empowers women—a company that allows them to be successful on their own terms and tailored to their life.

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win the Avon gift pack, please complete the following three requirements and leave a separate comment for each:

1. Visit http://hellogreentomorrow.com to learn about Avon’s initiative to nurture nature.  Then, leave a comment on this post, sharing one thing you learned from the website.
2. Follow @avonprnewsflash on Twitter.
3. Post these messages on Twitter and leave comments here with a link to your tweets:

GIVEAWAY! http://bit.ly/9upGjF Enter 4 chance 2 win gift pack from #Avon (ARV: $250) http://twitpic.com/1w1b0f #gno PLS RT
XXX

Join #avon Mon, 6/14 (9-11 ET) to share/learn simple steps 4 living a greener life RSVP http://bit.ly/aIvrd3 PLS RT

Extra Entries

The following four entries are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry each. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed entry.

1. Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
2. Follow Mom It Forward on Facebook at http://facebook.com/momitforward.
3. Become a Friend of Mom It Forward’s Google Friend Connect (see box in right sidebar).
4. Subscribe to the Mom It Forward RSS feed (click on orange heart at the bottom left on the homepage).

Terms and Conditions

Items in image may differ from giveaway gift pack. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends on at midnight ET Wednesday, June 16, 2010. See all terms and conditions here.

When a woman is assaulted or beaten or coerced into sex or otherwise abused, she feels less empowered. She is often put in a position where she can’t be a strength to her family, her community, the world, and let alone a strength to herself.

Tonight on Twitter, and together with Avon, we will focus our #gno chat on ending violence against women. This means no more domestic violence. No more dating abuse. No more sexual assault. No more human trafficking.

While we won’t be able to solve all of the world’s problems tonight, we can raise our voices 140 characters at a time to raise awareness, share experiences, offer tips and ways to get involved and make a difference.

Domestic Violence Statistics

Did you know…

• Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
• Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than care accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
• Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.
• Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.
• Ninety-two percent of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top concern.
• Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US alone—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.
• Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their parnterns had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or the police for help.
• The cots of intimate partner violence in the US alone exceed $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion are for direct medical and health care services, while productivity losses acount for nearly $1.8 billion.
• Men who as children witnessed their parents’ domestic violence were twice as likely to abuse their own wives than sons of nonviolent parents.

All information is taken directly from the Avon Foundation Domestic Violence Resource Guide, which comes free with the purchase of any of Avon’s Empowerment products. One hundred percent of the proceeds of these products go toward ending violence against women worldwide.

Join in and help spread the word. Click here to watch the Twitter stream or to participate!

Photo courtesy of Diana Scimone who runs the Born 2 Fly organization, helping end human trafficking.

Join Avon at the #gno Twitter party this Tuesday, March 16 from 9-11 ET (8 CT, 7 MT, and 6 PT) for an awareness raising conversation about how to take action and help end domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. There is so much we all can be doing. Share and learn tips for ways in which you can empower women around the world and make a difference.

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, March 16, 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Click here to party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #avoniwd.)
• Topic: Ending Violence Against Women World Wide
• Who: @avonprnewsflash @dianascimone @maggiedammit @pigtailpals @reneejross @theundomestic @utbrown
• Party Favors: Click here to enter for a chance to win this week’s giveaway. Deadline: 3/17
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jyl_momIF).
Photo courtesy of Flickr.


Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

In 2008, Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation introduced the company’s first-ever global fundraising product, the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet, designed to save and improve women’s lives worldwide. Now, just two years later, Avon sells an entire line of Empowerment products including a necklace, and the NEW T-shirt, and ring.

This week’s 10 lucky winners will each receive the entire line of Empowerment products, including a t-shirt, necklace, bracelet, and ring. Along with these stylish empowering products, you will also receive a booklet informing you on ways in which you can help further the cause to help end violence against women.

Entry Requirements

Please do the following three things to enter for a chance to win and leave a separate comment for each:

1. Follow @avonprnewsflash on Twitter.
   XXX
2. Click here, check out the Avon Empowerment line, and leave a comment on this post, sharing which product you’d enjoy.
   XXXX
3. Post these messages on Twitter and leave comments here with a link to your tweets:

GIVEAWAY! Enter 2 win @avonprnewsflash Prize Pack (10 winners) http://bit.ly/cLwTzZ #avoniwd #gno PLS RT
XXXX

Join #gno on Twitter 2NITE 9-11 ET w/@avonprnewsflash 2 lrn tips 2 hlp end violence agnst women http://bit.ly/9S7rzL #avoniwd RT

Extra Entries

The following four entries are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry each. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed entry.

1. Share a tip for how to prevent or raise awareness to end domestic violence, sexual abuse, and/or human trafficking.
2. Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
3. Become a Friend of Mom It Forward’s Google Friend Connect (see box in right sidebar).
4. Subscribe to the Mom It Forward RSS feed (click on orange heart at the top of the right sidebar).

Terms and Conditions

No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at midnight ET Wednesday, March 17, 2010. No more than one entry per person via each of the methods listed in the Giveaway details. The odds of winning a Giveaway depend on the number of entries. Winners will be selected randomly by Mom It Forward. All decisions of Mom It Forward are final. Employees of Mom It Forward and the Giveaway sponsor are not eligible to participate. All entries received after the Giveaway closing date and time will not be considered. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. Winners will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to confirm receipt of the e-mail. If the winner does not reply within 24 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to participants who are residents of the US 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Taxes on Giveaways are solely the responsibility of the winner. Winner agrees to permit Mom It Forward and the Giveaway Sponsor to use her or his name, voice, photo, or likeness for reasonable promotional and marketing purposes for up to 90 days after the end of the Giveaway. Mom It Forward and Sponsor are not liable for late or misdirected entries, entry errors, or transmission problems. Mom It Forward reserves the right to terminate the Giveaway in the event of technical problems, or to correct typographical or technical errors, or to amend these rules. All participants should review the Mom It Forward disclosure and privacy policies. By entering, participants agree to release and hold harmless Mom It Forward, Sponsor, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability or any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with a Giveaway. Mom It Forward will provide the name of the winner for any Giveaway, upon request, for 90 days after that Giveaway’s entry period ends. Unless otherwise provided by the Sponsor, no substitution, transfer, or assignment of prizes is permitted. Non-winning entries from one Giveaway are not carried forward to future Giveaways.

But what’s more meaningful to me is what’s happening in the nation’s capitol surrounding the topic of women and more specifically, women making history.

Yesterday morning, Vital Voices and Avon hosted a Breakfast Meeting of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women. According to the US Department of State, “Secretary Clinton founded the Vital Voices Global Partnership, a leading international NGO dedicated to supporting emerging women leaders, after the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing to promote the advancement of women as a U.S. foreign policy goal.”

As I sit here miles away from Washington D.C., I ponder about my role models. Who are the women that have made or are making a positive difference in my life? Who do I want to be like? Whose characteristics and qualities do I want to embrace? Who empowers me?

What about you? Who are your female role models?

What about these gals? Ten winners of the International Women of Courage award recognized last night at the Vital Voices Awards Dinner. One article quotes: “We are honoring women from around the world who have endured isolation and intimidation, violence and imprisonment,” Clinton said. “Many have even risked their lives to advance justice, freedom, and equal rights for everyone. Their stories remind us of how much work there is left to do before the rights and dignity of all people—no matter who you are or where you live—are respected and protected by the world’s governments.”

Imagine being able to get a glimpse into these women’s lives. Powerful! What can we learn from them? How can we, too, show courage and make a difference?

She recently returned from 18 months in Ukraine. While there, she learned about IWD when some locals asked her and my father-in-law what we did in the United States to celebrate.

My mother-in-law had never heard of IWD so she explained that we celebrated Mother’s Day here. Their Ukrainian friends’ response: “But what about the women who aren’t mothers?”

Touche!

While the US hasn’t declared IWD an official national holiday, it has dedicated the entire month of March to Womens’ History Month and the United Nations and many organizations, including prominent companies, put on conferences during this time to further promote and address women’s issues and rights focusing this year’s theme on “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All.” (Click here to read conference summaries and progress/challenges.)

So, why is this important? What does this have to do with me as I sit behind my computer in my little corner of the world and you as you sit behind yours?

I watched this video and marveled at how relentlessly Iranian women are fighting for a chance to enjoy the gender equality freedoms I take for granted. I read this article that stated, “A growing number of countries have legislation that supports sexual and reproductive health and promotes gender equality. Nevertheless, maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, too few women have access to family planning, and violence against women remains a cause for global shame.”

I sit here behind my computer with the opportunity to work and provide for my family and I am haunted by a scene of 12-year-old girls dancing in the night market in Bangkok right out in the open with hardly any clothes on for all to see, for some to take advantage of. Taken from their homes. No mothers to care for them. I couldn’t take it in. I didn’t know what to do. Global shame doesn’t begin to describe the anger and helplessness that I felt in that moment and still feel 8 years later as I write this post. I turned my head. I kept walking. What could I do? The scene has never left my mind. But maybe there is more I can do. Maybe there’s more we all can do to further equality and rights and justice for women everywhere.

I am excited to be partnering with Avon to promote their commitment to help end violence for women world wide in support of IWD.

As I have researched and watched the #iwd hashtag on Twitter, here’s ways to learn more or get involved:

• Check out this site, which has a searchable database of events listed by country and state/city. Is there one in your area? Next year, Utah is going to be on that list!
• Choose an issue that speaks to you, like this one on maternal health perhaps, and look for ways to support the organizations that are dedicated to progressing these causes.
• Check out organizations like Vital Voices and attend one of their celebrations this week.
• Read this article and learn five things you can do to help support IWD.
• Watch the videos below and others like it to be more informed on global issues and how you can help.
• If nothing else, tweet your support for IWD (#iwd) and connect with women globally who share your support. Maybe together we can all make a difference!
  X

X

Avon’s tagline is: the company for women. While they may dedicate a lot of R&D to making great products, I’ve witnessed firsthand Avon’s passion for helping women succeed in their personal and professional lives as well. This passion starts at the tippy top of the company and oozes out of every Representative you meet. So, learning last week that Avon just announced plans to set up partnerships, secure grants, and donate money to end violence against women is not surprising to me.

Did you know that one in three women worldwide experience violence in their lifetime? And did you know that in the U.S. alone, a woman is assaulted every nine seconds? Around the world, services for victims are often vastly underfunded or unavailable, and in many countries, laws to protect women do not exist or are not enforced.

To help eradicate violence against women and help ensure justice for all women worldwide , Avon:

• Secured a $1.5 million grant to launch the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School. This new center will focus on working with judges, legal professionals, governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve access to justice in an effort to eliminate violence against women and girls.
• Expanded its relationship with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) with a new commitment of $250,000 for the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which will be added to the grant of $1 million awarded in 2008 for the Trust Fund.
• Is donating 100% of the proceeds from these products—the Empowerment necklace, bracelet, and ring and t-shirt. I bought a t-shirt today. It was a small thing, but a simple way in which I could contribute to the cause.

Avon believes that when women are empowered they can make their dreams a beautiful reality.

March 8 is International Women’s Day. What can you do to help empower women and further their rights and justice worldwide?

To learn more and to help, connect with these organizations online: @UNIFEM and Facebook.com/UNIFEM.

Note: I am participating in a social media campaign with Avon to help end violence for women. While the topics I address and the details I provide in my posts during the campaign are at my sole discretion, I am receiving compensation for the time I put in to writing them.