Bardonia resident chosen as one of L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth honorees

Samantha Wettje, Bardonia resident and co-founder of 16 Strong Project, will be honored in Los Angeles as part of L’Oréal Paris’s 18th annual private celebration for Women of Worth on Nov. 16. 

Selected from thousands of nominations, she joins nine other changemakers during National Philanthropy Month. 

“It is an incredible honor to be included in one of this year’s L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth honorees alongside some of the most incredible women I’ve ever met making unbelievable change in their community,” she said. 

When Wettje found out she was chosen, her immediate reaction was tears.

“The tears weren’t for myself, but for the organization and the kids. It was me thinking about how many kids we could help by having this platform from L’Oréal Paris,” Wettje said. “I couldn’t believe I started crying, especially because there were a number of people on the Zoom call, including some of the celebrities spokeswomen from L’Oréal Paris.”

Some of the brand’s dream team spokeswomen include Elle Fanning, H.E.R, Kate Winslet and Camila Cabello.

Women of Worth is close to my heart,” Cabello said. “These women are awe inspiring. They are taking action in their communities and affecting real change.”

         courtesy: L’Oréal Paris

The 2023 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth class will join a network of 170 previous honorees who are leaving their mark on the world. 

L’Oréal Paris will facilitate a grant of $25,000 for each honoree through its intermediary grantmaking partner, GlobalGiving. 

This is the first time that they established the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Fund, which will allow consumers to make a donation that benefits all 10 of this year’s honorees.

“By championing female non-profit leaders and their selfless work, we hope to inspire people to tap into their own sense of worth to create positive change,” said L’Oréal Paris USA President Ali Goldstein.

In addition to the grant, 16 Strong will receive mentorship from the L’Oréal Paris community and have the opportunity to spread their cause to a wider audience with the brand’s platform.

16 Strong is an organization dedicated to helping children and teens affected by adverse childhood experiences. 

Learn more about her story and the organization here.

 Be sure to follow @cait_malilay_writes for future articles.

You can also email her at [email protected] for news tips or stories.