Stella & Dot Foundation Debuts New Bracelet Celebrating Women's Education and Economic Empowerment

SAN BRUNO, Calif., July 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stella & Dot, a global fashion accessories brand and rapidly growing social selling company proudly launches a brand new collection of charitable jewelry to raise funds and awareness aimed at creating positive change in the lives of women, teens and children through education and economic empowerment. Through the sale of the Stella & Dot Foundation wrap bracelets and charms (all priced at $39 each), all net proceeds will support three charity partners; ACCION USA, buildOn and Girls Inc.

Through training, resources and ongoing support, ACCION USA empowers low to moderate income women to start and grow their business. buildOn empowers people and transforms lives by partnering after school service programs in the U.S. with communities in developing countries to build schools. Girls Inc. is serving girls in at-risk communities who most need positive, supportive afterschool environments (U.S. & Canada).

Conceived in July 2010, Stella & Dot CEO & Founder, Jessica Herrin created the Stella & Dot Foundation as an extension of the company's mission in its everyday business – to give women the means to style their own lives. "Our mission is to help women live their best lives by creating a platform for flexible entrepreneurship. It's important for us to extend that mission to impact the lives of women and children through the Stella & Dot Foundation, supporting education and economic empowerment and health related causes that impact families," says Herrin.

In addition to their three core charity partners, Stella & Dot also celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Autism Awareness Month in April and supports the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund each July through their Super Saturday Designer Garage Sale. Through the sale of signature bracelets and accessories, significant funds have been raised towards these causes that matter most to the Stella & Dot community.

Herrin adds, "For our Stella & Dot family, our greatest privilege is that together we can make a difference that might seem impossible for each of us as individuals. By working together with our amazing Independent Stylists and customers, we can build schools and change the lives of young girls. We can put a single mother in business, and play a small role in creating a better future for her family. Instead of just being sad about the health related diseases impacting so many in our community, we can act to raise awareness and fund research. By each doing what we can, it adds up to make the world a better place."

To-date, the Stella & Dot Foundation has raised over $750,000. For more information on the Stella & Dot Foundation and charitable jewelry pieces, go to: http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/foundation-bracelet-turquoise.html

Stella & Dot Foundation Bracelets and Charms:

Stella & Dot Foundation Bracelet, $39.00 each Gold and silver plated brass and steel chain braided with signature turquoise or red thread with button closure. All net proceeds go to the Stella & Dot Foundation to create positive changes in women's lives.

Stella & Dot Foundation Charms, $39.00 each Sterling Silver or gold charm with Stella & Dot Foundation motif. All net proceeds go to the Stella & Dot Foundation to create positive changes in women's lives.

About Stella & Dot

Stella & Dot is a boutique-style jewelry and accessories company reinventing the home-based business opportunity for the modern woman through its social shopping business platform. Stella & Dot offers its on-trend, celebrity-coveted product line exclusively through a growing network of trained independent consultants (stylists) across North America, UK and most recently, Germany. They earn sales commissions by selling at private in-home trunk shows and online with a best-in-class e-commerce site including social media tie-ins. For more, visit www.stelladot.com,

About ACCION USA

ACCION USA is a private, nonprofit organization that serves low- and moderate-income individuals, primarily minorities and women, who are unable to access mainstream business loans and financial services. A pioneer and recognized leader in the domestic microfinance field, ACCION USA is dedicated to providing microentrepreneurs and individuals on the economic margin with the crucial chance to access capital and develop greater financial literacy. ACCION USA is a member of the U.S. ACCION Network, the largest U.S. microlending network, with over $272 million lent since inception in 1991. ACCION USA business loans range from $500-$50,000 and are offered nationwide via the ACCION USA online lending platform. For more information about ACCION USA's small business loan products, visit www.accionusa.org.

About buildOn

buildOn is breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education. For the past two decades buildOn has mobilized urban youth to lift up their communities and change the world through intensive volunteer service. In buildOn's afterschool programs across the U.S., urban youth contribute intensive community service tutoring children, feeding the homeless and volunteering at senior citizen homes. buildOn takes these same students, many of whom have rarely traveled outside their own neighborhoods, to some of the poorest countries on the planet to build schools. To date, buildOn has constructed more than 453 schools worldwide and ground is broken on a new school every 5 days. Through buildOn U.S. students realize their ability to change lives, including their own. 95% of buildOn youth not only graduate high school, but go onto college. Learn more at www.buildOn.org.

About Girls Inc.

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through life-changing programs and experiences that help girls navigate gender, economic, and social barriers. Research-based curricula, delivered by trained, mentoring professionals in a positive all-girl environment equip girls to achieve academically; lead healthy and physically active lives; manage money; navigate media messages; and discover an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. The network of local Girls Inc. nonprofit organizations serves 125,000 girls ages 6 - 18 annually across the United States and Canada. Learn more about our programs and advocacy at www.girlsinc.org.

Media Contact:
Katie Sann    
Stella & Dot    
ksann@stelladot.com 
(646) 553-1219

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com
http://www.cisionwire.com/stella---dot/r/stella---dot-foundation-debuts-new-bracelet-celebrating-women-s-education-and-economic-empowerment,c9282933

The following pictures are available for download: