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Winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund - June 24, 2008
Karen Nielsen Honored with $5,000 Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund Award
June 24, 2008

Cold Spring Harbor, New York Resident Wins Cash Award To Provide Business Seminars To Female Entrepreneurs In Her Community


(New York, NY, June 24, 2008) Cold Spring Harbor, New York resident Karen Nielsen, 51, is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of creating a better tomorrow for her community. Karen was named this week’s winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, a weekly $5,000 cash award program from Avon Products, Inc. to support individuals in their work to empower women. She is the first Hello Tomorrow Fund recipient on Long Island, and the second in New York State. Karen is also among the first winners to be selected by a newly expanded panel of judges that now includes Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York and actress Phylicia Rashad, in addition to the existing panel of judges that includes acclaimed personal finance expert, Suze Orman. Karen will use her award to fund a seminar series and support network to help recently divorced women start their own business or enter the workforce.

Divorce can often leave women with the daunting task of building a new life for themselves, and in many cases, reentering the workforce after a long absence. Many women put their own dreams and career aspirations aside to start a family, causing some divorcees to lack the confidence and necessary experience to successfully participate in the workforce. Late-age divorce for women ages 45-60 can be especially traumatizing, as it often threatens social security and retirement funds.

For the past 13 years, Karen has served on the board of an economic development corporation that assists women and minorities in starting their own businesses in the Long Island community. Karen has a divorce and business law practice and meets many women who are in need of services to build employment skills and confidence. Through her experiences working with women at both her law firm and through community work, Karen has seen many women going through divorce who need to become the sole providers for their families or themselves, but lack the self confidence and skill set to do so. She is passionate about encouraging women to capitalize on their strengths and gain independence by starting their own businesses. One client, after 21 years of marriage, had to forge ahead without any job skills, college degree or professional experience. Although she was creative and had great ideas, she wasn’t capable of actualizing them. “Women aren’t always driven by power,” explains Karen. “They can be very intimidated in a world that is still largely run by men.” Karen now has the tools to help these women break through their insecurities and enter the business world.

Karen will use her Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund award to provide a seminar series designed to help women start their own businesses and find economic independence. The seminars will be focused workshops designed to address the specific needs of each individual. The funds will allow Karen to advertise in her community and produce print materials, information kits, workbooks and mailings and pay for seminar costs. Karen will also encourage the participants to become a resource and support group for one another as they build their professional lives. Thanks to her Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund award, Karen will be able to empower women to take control of their lives, and enable them to successfully enter into the workforce, creating positive new beginnings and assuring financial security into their retirement years.

Karen’s winning application to the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund met the criteria of clearly presenting unique and achievable objectives to empower women or girls and ultimately improve society. It was selected from a pool of strong contenders by an expert panel of judges, including personal finance expert, Suze Orman, actress Phylicia Rashad and Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. “This is a powerful proposal because it targets a very vulnerable segment of women – those who suddenly find their life and future shattered,” notes Sarah Ferguson of Karen’s proposal. “I believe this program will educate and support women in crisis in very productive ways.”

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