Tory Burch Foundation: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

A world-renowned fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Tory Burch has changed the game when it comes to women empowerment and strong female leaders. The award-winning designer’s elegant, yet show-stopping style earned her notable recognition, allowing her to use her newfound fame to spread her message of women empowerment. Through The Tory Burch Foundation and her #EmbraceAmbition campaign, she has used her voice to encourage women to follow their dreams, hearts, and ambitions.

Photo via Tory Burch

After working for high fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren and Vera Wang, Tory launched her very own lifestyle brand in 2004, with just a single boutique shop in New York City. Fast forward fourteen years, and the fashion icon has earned incredible status in the design world; her creations are seen in over 1,000 department and specialty stores, and she has over 100 freestanding locations. Of course, launching a business is no easy feat. She experienced the struggle women face when embarking on business ventures, navigating the journey of the working world, or wanting to be taken seriously as a female entrepreneur.

Photo via The Tory Burch Foundation

 
There’s such a negative connotation to ambition and women, and I think that needs to end.

 
The obstacles she overcame influenced her idea for The Tory Burch Foundation in 2009, a nonprofit organization that provides access to capital, entrepreneurial education, and mentoring and networking opportunities to women throughout the world. Her support and push for women empowerment is truly inspirational, giving hope to women during a time in history where women frequently feel a lack of confidence and trust in the workplace.

Photo via The Tory Burch Foundation

 
It’s about helping to empower women to help themselves. By providing resources and tools, we can level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, and helping them to grow their businesses benefits their families, their communities and, in turn, all of us.

 
Tomorrow, April 24, The Tory Burch Foundation hosts The Embrace Ambition Summit. Experience storytelling and live performances, explore the women entrepreneurs’ marketplace, and enjoy conversation with leaders, artists, politicians and more. Ten amazing female leaders will be engaging and sharing stories at The Summit; women such as Margaret Atwood, Lindsay Vonn, and Yara Shahidi are ready to #EmbraceAmbition, and collaborate ways to end the stigma surrounding women, power, and drive. This year, the #EmbraceAmbition campaign focuses on women and men celebrating the people who inspire them to own their ambition. Through social media, people across the globe have posted photos with friends and loved ones who motivate them to #EmbraceAmbition. Tory encourages women to take a pledge to embrace ambition and challenge their friends, mothers, sisters, and daughters to do the same on The Tory Burch Foundation website.

Photo via The Tory Burch Foundation