NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - October 6, 2009) -
The New York Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC), the world's first child protection
agency, will honor Avon Products, Inc. Chairman and CEO
Andrea Jung
and Emmy-award winning actress
Susan Lucci at its
2009 Gala
on October 26 at 583 Park in Manhattan.
Emmy-award winning journalist and "Inside Edition" host
Deborah
Norville will serve as emcee for the Gala, which will include remarks
from famed columnist and former NYSPCC honoree
Liz Smith. Gala
Chairpersons include
Amanda and
Neil Friedman, President of
Mattel Brands, and
Jacquie and
Jerry Storch, Chairman
and CEO of
Toys "R" Us, Inc. Gala Co-Chairpersons include
Elizabeth Bartlett,
Elizabeth Mayhew and
Karl G.
Wellner.
As the world's first child protection agency, The NYSPCC responds to the
complex needs of abused and neglected children, and those involved in their
care, by providing best practice counseling, legal and educational
services. Through research, communications and training initiatives, they
work to expand these programs to prevent abuse and help more children heal.
"Susan Lucci is dedicated to improving the lives of children not only in
the U.S., but also in Africa. She has brought much needed attention to the
neglect and abuse many children face on a daily basis. Andrea Jung has also
shown herself to be a committed leader in promoting the welfare of children
through the work of the
Avon Foundation. Since 2008, the Avon
Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to organizations that help
children who are affected by domestic violence. It gives us great pleasure
to honor both of these exceptional advocates at this year's Gala," said
David Stack, President of The NYSPCC.
"The NYSPCC provides vulnerable children with critically important
protection. It is a great honor to be praised by an organization that makes
such a significant difference in the lives of children and families every
day," said Ms. Lucci, who plays Erica Kane on the show "All My Children."
"A pioneering agency, The NYSPCC, recognized the need to keep New York
City's children safe and provide them with the tools to succeed not only in
school, but also in life. I am truly honored to be recognized by an agency
that has supported this important cause for nearly 135 years," said Ms.
Jung.
"Both Susan's and Andrea's work on the behalf of children and families
corresponds with our deep belief that the well-being of children is the
responsibility of everyone. It gives us great joy to be honoring them at
this year's event," said Mary Pulido, Executive Director of The NYSPCC.
Deborah Norville to Emcee Event, Which Includes Remarks by Liz
Smith and Music by Alex Donner
NYSPCC Gala highlights include:
- Remarks by Liz Smith. Ms. Smith is an award winning journalist
and columnist and former NYSPCC honoree.
- Deborah Norville as emcee. Ms. Norville is the Emmy-award
winning anchor of the highly regarded syndicated news magazine show "Inside
Edition." Her many other high-profile television journalism assignments
have included hosting MSNBC's "Deborah Norville Tonight."
- Dance music from Alex Donner & His Orchestra.
About Susan Lucci
Susan Lucci has enjoyed a long acting career both on stage and screen. She
plays Erica Kane on ABCs daytime drama series, "All My Children," a role
which won her an Emmy in 1999. She stared as Annie Oakley in the revival of
Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" in 1999 as her Broadway debut. She
was garnered with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005 and was
inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2006. She supports Little
Flower Children & Family Services of New York and has served as a celebrity
spokesperson for Academic Medicine Development Company (AMDeC) and The New
York Cancer Project. She served as the March of Dimes' National Ambassador
and is currently involved with Feed The Children.
About Andrea Jung
Andrea Jung is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Avon Products,
Inc., the leading global beauty company. Prior to her current role, she was
President and Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Avon, she was
Executive Vice President at Neiman Marcus, where she was responsible for
accessories, cosmetics and women's, intimate and children's apparel. She
currently serves on the Board of Directors of the General Electric Company
and Apple and is a member of the New York Presbyterian Hospital Board of
Trustees and the Catalyst Board of Directors. In 2009, Ms. Jung ranked #2
on the Financial Times' inaugural list "Top 50 Women in World Business,"
ranked #5 on Fortune magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" list,
which she has been on since the list's inception, and #25 on
the Forbes list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women.
About The NYSPCC
Founded in 1875 in Manhattan, The New York Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC) is the world's first child protection agency.
It works to develop and carry out programs that protect children from harm
and ensure their healthy development. The NYSPCC has investigated more than
650,000 cases on the behalf of over two million children and has educated
over 44,000 professionals working with children on neglect issues and child
abuse.
The NYSPCC's programs are aimed at: helping children recover from
witnessing family violence, enduring physical and/or sexual abuse or
parental substance abuse; promoting healthy parenting through skills
training, education and guidance; providing group counseling and sexual
abuse prevention workshops to "high-risk" children in New York City
schools; providing education for professionals on detecting and reporting
abuse and neglect; facilitating visits between children and their
non-custodial parents in a safe, supportive environment; and advocating for
legislative action that protects children and strengthens families.
http://www.nyspcc.org
Note to journalists: To attend or learn more about The New York Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, please contact: Katarina
Wenk-Bodenmiller of Sommerfield Communications, Inc. at (212) 255-8386 or
katarina@sommerfield.com.
Contact Information: Contact:
Katarina Wenk-Bodenmiller
Sommerfield Communications, Inc.
212-255-8386
katarina@sommerfield.com