Avon 2007 Annual Report Download - page 6

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Powerful Purpose
As our business has continued to dynamically
evolve, we have remained anchored by our
fifth and perhaps most powerful equity – our
sense of purpose.
There is an old proverb which says: “You will be
known forever by the tracks you leave.” One
of Avon’s founding principles is to “give back to
the communities we serve,” and for almost 122
years this commitment has been our compass
in an ever-changing world.
As the company for women, Avon’s purpose-
driven mission is to improve the lives of women
globally and we are proud and privileged to
play a leadership role in the arena of corporate
philanthropy. The Avon Foundation – the world’s
largest corporate foundation for women – has
raised and awarded almost $600 million for
causes that are important to women. The lion’s
share of these funds has gone to support the
world-famous Avon Breast Cancer Crusade
which was launched in 1992.
Three years ago, we added a second cause
to our mission with the launch of our Speak
Out Against Domestic Violence program.
Just recently, Avon formed an important new
public/private partnership with UNIFEM, which
manages the United Nations Trust Fund to
End Violence Against Women. As part of this,
Avon made the largest corporate grant ever
awarded to the Fund in a single year. Through
all these efforts, we hope to make an important
difference in the lives of women everywhere.
As we reflect back on 2007, we are very proud
of the extraordinary progress we have made
across every dimension of our business. We
are moving forward with commitment and
speed to create a powerful future for Avon. Our
turnaround plan is working and the foundation
for success is being built. We are executing
our strategies with boldness and determination.
Our goal is sustainable, profitable growth over
the long term, and we are confident that we will
achieve it.
In closing, I want to thank our Avon Associates
and Representatives around the globe for
their dedication and commitment to the
company over the past two years as we have
repositioned Avon for the future. I also want to
recognize our outstanding Board of Directors
for their invaluable guidance and counsel. And
finally, I would like to acknowledge, you, the
Avon shareholder, for supporting and believing
in our management team as we have set
the company on a new path of sustainable,
profitable growth.
In 2007, we said Hello Tomorrow. As we look
ahead, we are beginning to see clearly just how
exciting tomorrow can be.
Andrea Jung
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
March 31, 2008