The philanthropic arm of cosmetics retailer MECCA, MECCA M-POWER, has won the Eve Mahlab AO Gender-wise Philanthropy Award at the Australian Philanthropy Awards, recognised for its contribution to advancing gender equality.
MECCA M-POWER’S $25 million philanthropic investment towards advancing gender equality over the next five years saw them take home the award, which was one of nine philanthropy awards presented at the Art Gallery NSW on Tuesday, to acknowledge the contribution of leading philanthropists who advance gender equality.
Executive Director of MECCA M-POWER, Lisa Keenan said that the initiative has always been about creating an environment where women can thrive.
“We are beyond thrilled to receive this award bearing the name of a woman, Eve Mahlab, who did so much to bring the needs of women to the forefront of philanthropy,” she said.
“M-POWER is MECCA’s movement for social change, embodying the spirit of positive progress on which the brand was founded, and putting women’s rights at the heart of MECCA’s business.”
Keenan reiterated the importance of the award in celebrating the dozens of social change makers they champion — women who are “working to dismantle the systems and structures that hold women back, and make the world a more equal place.”
“While we are just getting started and have so much more to do, it is really heartening to see the incredible momentum inside our business and the way our customers and communities are signing up to be part of the MECCA movement,” Keenan said.
MECCA supports NFPs and advocates who are working to improve opportunities for women at work, improve women’s health and enhance the representation of women by elevating their voices and the issues that matter to them.
The organisation provides funding for programs such as equality campaigns, a tech recruitment pipeline for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds and skilled volunteering programs and leadership programs for NFP CEOs.
Jill Reichstein OAM, Chair of the selection committee for the 2024 Eve Mahlab AO Gender-wise Philanthropy Award, described the process of selecting this year’s winner as “a difficult challenge.”
“The exceptional quality of nominations posed for us and, while I’m encouraged by the growth and strength of gender-wise giving, choosing the finalists and the ultimate 2024 recipient was extremely difficult,” she said last night.
The other finalists for the Eve Mahlab AO Gender-wise Philanthropy Award were the philanthropic giving circle 100 Women and Susan Alberti AC, who heads the Susan Alberti Medical Research Foundation.
Founded more than a decade ago in Western Australia, 100 Women leverage donations (over $1.2 million in member donations) and expertise to give women and girls grants to empower them in areas including education, health, economic opportunities, and safety.
Alicia Curtis, Co-Founder of 100 Women said that being recognised in the field of gender equality advancement alongside the other nominees is “a great privilege and acknowledgement of the power of the collective.”
“Our national giving circle, 100 Women, is delighted to be nominated as a finalist for the Eve Mahlab AO Gender-wise Philanthropy Award,” she said. “Our goal to empower women and girls facing disadvantage through our collective giving circle has reached an incredible milestone with over $1 million donated and 37,000 women and girls impacted since 2014.”
Playing a pivotal role in the establishment of AFLW and funding research that increased engagement in women’s sports, Susan Alberti AC was recognised for her work at the Susan Alberti Medical Foundation in Melbourne.
The foundation drives research and leadership initiatives through strategic philanthropic support of women’s sports, creating more opportunities for women in professional sports and leadership roles.
Alberti said she is “absolutely delighted” to be a finalist for the Eve Mahlab AO Gender-wise Philanthropy Award, “not for my own sake but to continue to highlight the lack of representation of women in sports leadership roles.”
“We have come a long way but there is much more to be done,” she added.
Julie Reilly OAM, CEO of Australians Investing In Women believes that modern philanthropy should aim to solve problems that are deeply complex, and that “without a gender lens you are not getting the full picture.”
“Despite decades of work, and some positive gains, women and girls are still disadvantaged nationally and globally,” she said in a statement. “The World Economic Forum estimates we are 131 years away from gender equality. Gender-wise philanthropy will reduce that unacceptable wait.”
“I would like to warmly thank every nominee and finalist for their important work and exemplary leadership in progressing gender equality through giving. We congratulate this year’s recipient MECCA M-POWER, for the scale, breadth and depth of their gender-wise giving and their additional commitment to educating their staff and customers alike on the need for action.”
Other finalists for this year include Climate 200 (winning the Environmental and Climate Philanthropy Award and Innovation Award ), Terry Snow AM and Ginette Snow (Leadership Award ), Cambodian Children’s Fund – Neeson Cripps Academy (International Philanthropy Award) and the Bibbulmun Fund and WA Relief and Recovery Fund —held with the Fremantle Foundation (First Nations Philanthropy Award).
Image: L-R Phoebe Saintilan, Jill Reichstein OAM, Sarah Bailey, Julie Reilly OAM