Clarins has presented its Most Dynamic Woman of the Year award in the U.S. for the first time, bestowing honors last Friday upon Debbe Magnusen of Project Cuddle, an organization dedicated to preventing infants from being abandoned.
“After 10 years of giving prizes to exceptional women all around the world, we thought it was time to honor women in the States,” said Eric Horowitz, president of the Clarins brand division of Clarins Groupe USA. “If all of us can help give a little energy, passion, money and time, we can make a change by preserving nature, building a school and advancing medicine.”
Magnusen formed Project Cuddle a decade ago by creating a 24-hour hot line for “distressed young women who are pregnant and do not know how to handle their situation.” Magnusen says the problem is widespread throughout the U.S., where 57 babies are abandoned each day, or over 20,000 per year. To date, the program has saved the lives of 550 babies, according to Magnusen, and has enlisted an on-call support network of 100 volunteers across the country.
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“This award will not only help get the word out by raising awareness about the organization, but we’ll be able to save more lives,” said Magnusen. “Everybody deserves to live.” Magnusen said she plans to put financial support from the Clarins award toward a project she’s planning called Cuddle House, a home where women would be able to safely deliver babies.
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“Not only were the children in need, but we saw that this organization wasn’t receiving large corporate donations,” said Christian Courtin, president and chief executive of Groupe Clarins Worldwide. “This award is representative of 10 years of Magnusen dedicating and devoting her life to others. She’s committed to turning a sad situation into salvation.”
Clarins created the Most Dynamic Woman award in France in 1997. Five years ago, Clarins expanded eligibility for the award to the U.K., and subsequently included Canada, Germany, Switzerland, South Korea, South Africa, Hong Kong, Mexico and Russia.