Estée Lauder, Helena Rubinstein, Mary Kay Ash. The beauty industry's history and future is women, which makes our industry the perfect mirror for International Women's Day, the annual event held every March 8 to celebrate women's achievements and push forward toward gender equality.


This year's theme is a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There's a strong call to #PressforProgress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.


Leading beauty company are doing just that. For example, The Estée Lauder Companies has created The ELC Foundation’s Girls’ Education Initiative has reached over 100,000 girls through  more than 100 schools in 14 countries.


L'Oréal Paris' Canadian Women of Worth Awards Gala takes place today. Hosted by Helen Mirren in Toronto, each honoree will receive a $10,000 grant for their charity, a trip for two to the Gala and marketing support to increase awareness for their charity of choice.


“We are astounded by our 2018 Canadian Women of Worth Honorees and the humanitarian work they champion to help so many people including refugees, homeless, food insecure, cancer patients and autistic adults,” said Milan Mladjenovic, General Manager, L’Oréal Paris in Canada. “It is our honor and privilege to recognize this year’s exceptional honorees and help shine a spotlight on their inspirational work on International Women’s Day."


Procter & Gamble is one of many corporations around the world that illuminated buildings with giant symbols of the female on the eve of International Women’s Day as part of a global campaign to push for equality in the workplace.


International Women's Day activities aren't limited to multibillion dollar multinationals. Today, Function of Beauty, the personalized shampoo and conditioner maker, is donating 100% of today's profits to three non-profits that empower women: No More, Breast Cancer Research Foundation and StepUp.