Actress Evan Rachel Woods speaks about her support for a fragrance’s humanitarian pursuit
Why did you decide to support Chime for Change?
I think the point of the campaign is to not treat people differently because they are a man or a woman, but to treat them as human beings and with equality.
What do you chime for — health, education or justice?
I chime for all three. I think women should have the opportunity to get the education that they deserve. You need education to have a real chance in life. I don’t think people should miss out on that just because they’re women. Women deserve access to the healthcare that they need, and given the respect to make their own choices about healthcare.
Also, justice — I think the way that many women are treated, whether they are abused or something terrible happens to them, it’s not taken as seriously as it should be in some places.
Who are the women who have influenced you the most?
My mother and grandmother. They are both amazing women. Others are actresses and singers. Patti Smith is incredible and confident. She always stayed true to who she was and wasn’t afraid to speak loudly and controversially.
Also Susan Sarandon is incredibly talented and she’s used that talent to support many amazing causes and is another person that speaks out about what she believes in and isn’t afraid of what people think of her.
Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini is a big inspiration to me, in the way that she leads Gucci and has a position of such high power that is often filled by a man. She does it with amazing grace and ease. She’s very inspiring.
You are the face of Gucci Guilty. What do think now that Gucci fragrances is taking part in the cause?
I think it’s great that Chime for Change and Gucci fragrances have teamed up. If you buy a Gucci fragrance, you will get a voucher with a special code.
You can go online and basically pick what cause you want that voucher to go to: Education, Health or Justice, and it supports projects for girls and women. You aren’t just blindly giving money away. You know exactly where your money is going to go.
DRIVING DONATIONS
GUCCI PARFUMS announced a minimum pledge of US$1 million (RM3.19 million) to support Chime for Change projects through the sales of five designated Gucci fragrances — Flora by Gucci, Gucci Guilty (for men and women), Gucci Premiere and Gucci Made To Measure.
With a unique donation code in each product, consumers can help improve the lives of girls and women by choosing to support projects promoting Education, Health or Justice. Consumers may redeem their donation codes online, and share their involvement by spreading the message of the campaign.
Chime for Change raises funds and awareness for girls’ and women’s rights globally.
Co-founded by Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, actor Salma Hayek Pinault and singer Beyonce Knowles-Carter, the campaign aims to unite the voices speaking out for girls and women around the world, promoting the key pillars of Education, Health and Justice.
The faces of Gucci Parfums — Blake Lively, Evan Rachel Wood, James Franco and Chris Evans — join a long list of celebrities supporting this project including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Florence Welch and John Legend.
For details, visit www.chimeforchange.org or www.facebook.com/chimeforchange.