Insider Blog

This month, we celebrate Women’s History Month. At Avon, our celebration goes beyond recognizing women’s stories and accomplishments; it brings us closer to our roots. We use this time to reflect upon and honor the innumerable women who have helped build the Avon community over the decades. This is also an opportunity to shine a light on the women who inspire us daily be they our mothers, friends or Avon Ambassadors. These are the women who are building connections within their neighborhoods and making it stronger by giving back. They are making bold choices to empower themselves, move toward their financial goals and help support their families and loved ones by sharing what they love. They are cheering one another on and building each other up to become unstoppable. Now, that’s something worth celebrating.

Celebrating International Women's Day
In March, we also celebrate International Women’s Day. Founded on March 8, 1911, this global day spotlights women’s rights and advocacy for gender equality: a cause long held in the heart of Avon; a company that has provided women with the opportunity to access financial independence and a supportive and uplifting community.

Avon’s Legacy: Celebrating Women Through the Ages 
Throughout Avon’s 138-year history, we have been committed to empowering women to reach their potential. It started in 1886, when Avon founder David H. McConnell presented an opportunity for women to earn their own money on their own terms by recruiting Mrs. P.F.E. Albee, a 50-year-old wife and mother of two, to become the first "Avon Lady" (now known as "Avon Ambassador"). Inspired by women’s passion for beauty and their inherent social connections, Avon pioneered the social-selling business model, turning millions of women–the majority of whom were housewives–into entrepreneurs. It's important to note that during this time, only 20% of women worked outside of the home, and it would still be 34 years before women would receive the right to vote. Avon helped support American families during and after WW2 through the help of our Ambassadors. Avon awarded nurses for their service, assisted the Red Cross in making first aid kits for soldiers overseas and contributed to the nation’s economic recovery. 

HERstory Continues
To this day, Avon upholds its core mission of helping women achieve their goals through the Beauty of Sharing. Female empowerment is ingrained in the company’s roots, culture, business model, causes and partnerships that prioritize the well-being of women. Since 1992, the Avon Foundation has contributed more than $800 million to breast cancer causes, educating millions of women about breast health. In 2018, Avon served as the national presenting sponsor for The American Cancer Society®'s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative and continues to support this important cause.

Avon has also partnered with Feed the Children, an organization that works to improve nutrition, hygiene and education in vulnerable communities around the world. More recently, we worked with Gyrl Wonder to support their mission of social impact and career development in the lives of young women of color.

At our core, we are a beauty business helping women make a beautiful impact on the world. Join us in celebrating the countless Avon Ambassadors, associates and community members who have made a beautiful impact on us.

These inspirational women are our past, present and future.