L’ORÉAL Paris Women Of Worth Recognizes California’s Raja B. Marhaba, Founder Of The Jonathan Foundation For Children With Learning Disabilities

California’s Raja B. Marhaba has been selected as one of the 2019 Women of Worth Honorees by L’Oréal Paris for her outstanding work with The Jonathan Foundation For Children with Learning Disabilities. The foundation provides personalized support to help families with children with learning disabilities navigate special education systems. Raja is one of 10 women in the country to receive the prestigious Women of Worth award this year, for her charitable efforts that bring to life the L’Oréal Paris mission of uplifting and inspiring self-worth in others. Beginning today, the public is invited to support the 2019 Women of Worth by voting for one woman to become this year’s “National Honoree”, and receive an additional $25,000 to support her cause, for a grand total of $35,000. Each Honoree will also automatically receive $10,000, along with support via national paid media, educational and training opportunities, and a large-scale platform to share her story.

To support Raja and her important cause, vote for her to become the National Honoree by visiting www.WomenofWorth.com, and registering with an email address to vote once a day, now through November 15, 2019.

Raja B. Marhaba

When Raja Marhaba’s two sons were diagnosed with ADHD and Learning Disabilities, she fought for their right to obtain school services – but at a great personal cost. The result was an emotional and financial toll that strained her marriage and impeded her career. Stemming from the experience and her belief that every child has the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education, Raja founded The Jonathan Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities.

The foundation raises money to fund psycho-educational assessments, allowing Raja to determine each child’s specific needs as she endeavors to heal the damage wrought by learning disabilities and a broken special education system. Since 2013, she has advocated for more than 200 children, successfully educating public schools about their unique capabilities. Raja has found that sharing her own story with the families of these children has also been a powerful source of comfort and guidance. Beyond advocating for children with learning disabilities, her work has helped heal marriages, reconnect siblings and restore hope to families.

2019 Honorees

Recognized for their courage and unwavering determination to better the world, Raja’s fellow honorees stand for a variety of worthy causes, including feeding the hungry, supporting survivors of conversion therapy and improving the lives of foster care youth through college and career-preparedness.

• Brittany Schiavone – Long Island, NY; Founder, Brittany’s Baskets of Hope: delivers baskets of hand-made baby items and Down syndrome support system information to families with Down syndrome babies.
• Crystal Chatman – Memphis, TN; Founder & Director, Beautiful Spirited Women: empowers and advocates for teenage girls through mentorship that teaches healthy self-esteem, safe sex and entrepreneurship.
• Hetal Jani – New York City, NY; Founding Executive Director, SPEAK Mentorship: advances diversity in leadership through college and career preparedness, mentoring immigrant girls on cultural identity, career trajectory and gender association.
• Judy Winter – East Lansing, MI; Cofounder, Eric ‘RicStar’ Winter Music Therapy Camp: provides opportunities for musical expression, enjoyment and interaction with special needs children through an inclusive day camp.
• Ni’Cola Mitchell – Las Vegas, NV; Founder, Girls Who Brunch: inspires and empowers at-risk teenage girls by teaching literacy, education and critical life skills.
• Sally Berenzweig – Boca Raton, FL; Cofounder, KidSafe Foundation: teaches personal safety to children and adults with the ultimate mission of building strong, resilient families and safer communities.
• Samantha Gerson – Los Angeles, CA; Founder & CEO, UnBroken: provides free legal and therapeutic support to adolescent survivors of institutional abuses such as conversion therapy.
• Shanté Elliott – Chicago, IL; Founder, TasselTurn: improves the lives of youth in foster care through personalized support and college and career technology based educational coaching and social-emotional curriculum.
• Shreyaa Venkat – Ashburn, VA; Founder, NEST4US: works with communities to provide volunteer and leadership opportunities, focusing on reducing food waste and feeding the hungry.

“This year’s diverse group of awe-inspiring Honorees beautifully exemplify the L’Oréal Paris mission of uplifting and inspiring self-worth in others,” said Ali Goldstein, President, L’Oréal Paris. “Now in its fourteenth year, Women of Worth continues to make a profound impact by shining a spotlight on the tenacity and courage of women who are tackling some of society’s most difficult issues for the greater good. We are thrilled to welcome the 2019 Women of Worth into our family and to help them create meaningful change in their communities,” added Karen T. Fondu, President Emeritus and Chairwoman of L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth.

For more information about Women of Worth and the 2019 Honorees, visit www.WomenofWorth.com, and L’Oréal Paris on Facebook  and Twitter. Join and follow the conversation by using the hashtag #WomenofWorth.