Château de Pommard, Pommard France, Friday, January 25th
Château de Pommard and the Simone Awards Board have unveiled the 2019 Simone Awards Winners. The three 2019 recipients truly represent the spirit of commitment—selflessly impacting the lives of others and making our world a better place. Whether they run a non-profit initiative, a foundation or a research collaborative, each of these women-led causes is engaged in making a positive difference in the world around them.
"These women deserve to have the spotlight. They deserve our support. What they do every day to impact the lives of others, in a meaningful way, represents the spirit of commitment.”
Based in South-Africa, Canada, and California, Hanli Prinsloo, Nathalie Hazan, and Stori Oates are symbolic of women around the world who challenge the status quo on a daily basis. The Simone Awards was conceived to recognize and help women continue their pursuit of a better world. 10% of the annual profits from the sale of Simone, Château de Pommard’s top cuvée, is being donated to the winners’ causes.
“Working in ocean conservation is often both relentless and lonely. I feel like we are not alone.”
Our first honoree is a fearless educator of the ocean’s importance and beauty. Once a record-breaking free diver, she founded I Am Water in 2010 to increase access to the ocean for South-African youth. The program enables young South Africans to take their place in the local ecosystem and protect the global oceans on a long-term basis. “Being recognized as a recipient of the Simone Awards is both inspiring and humbling and makes me feel like we are not alone in the work we do. I love the commitment to the land, water, quality and history the Château de Pommard team puts into Simone. as a true Capetonian, my two great loves are the ocean and good wine – I am honored to be a part of this beautiful story!” We are excited to contribute to I Am Water’s continued growth.
“The next generation can see gender, race, and condition, not as the substance of who we are but rather the potential of who we can be. I feel especially privileged to receive the Simone Award in recognition and support of my passion.”
As she collaborates with schools in Canada, France, Switzerland, Israel or Hong-Kong using art and technology to prevent violence, Nathalie always keeps her most significant commitment at heart: humanity. “I am an art therapist—artist and psychotherapist, but mostly I am a woman trying to help create a world where peace prevails. The next generation can see gender, race, and condition, not as the substance of who we are but rather the potential of who we can be”, she said. Being a recipient of the Simone Awards “is a gift beyond imagination for Raison d’Art‘s cause. I feel especially privileged to be part of an award that tells the tales of women who are so passionate about their causes that they dedicate their lives. The stories of women and their battles won and lost, and of the treasure granted through Château de Pommard. The Simone Awards will drive me to shape the future of Raison d’Art with the same exceptional dedication with which it was granted.”
“It is exhilarating and humbling. It is truly an honor to named as an inaugural recipient of the Simone Award. I so appreciate the efforts of the Château Pommard team to recognize and elevate the critical work that women around the world are doing in the service of such important causes"
“In a world where celebrities, athletes, and influential people have a platform and the means to raise awareness for their causes, women who are making a real difference don’t have the podium. It's these individuals who look outside themselves and do things without expecting anything in return that make the world a better place. We want to celebrate, support, and shine a light on them"
Do you know how it feels to be so dedicated to a cause that it consumes your whole being, your every waking moment, and all of your thoughts—even when the world tells you, you’re crazy? You or someone you know may be our next recipient. We are sure somewhere around the world; there are many special women living this definition of commitment. Nominations for the Simone Awards 2020 are now open.
