Katy Perry Tops the Charts and is a UNICEF Ambassador!

Katy Perry's single Dark Horse has climbed to the top of the Billboard 100. Dark Horse is the second number one hit from Katy Perry's Album Prism. The other number one hit was Roar, which spent two-weeks in the number one spot on the Billboard 100. The success so far of her album Prism hardly compares to her 2010 album Teenage Dream, which had FIVE chart-topping hits!

 

via: E! Online

Katy's incredible music success is not unknown. What may be lesser known is how Katy is using her fame on behalf of the United Nations. In December 2013, Katy Perry was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Fund) is an organization that "works in over 190 countries and territories to save and improve children's lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more" (see the website here). UNICEF is a United Nations program that was established in 1946. The United Nations is a unique organization, with 193 member nations, that aims to preserve international security and peace, protect human rights and the environment, while encouraging economic growth.

 

via: E! Online

Katy Perry holds a special role, as stipulated by UNICEF. Katy Perry is charged with the task of engaging a younger cohort of people in UNICEF's work and helping young people determine solutions to issues such as child poverty, abuse and neglect. On the subject Katy said: "I believe young people have the power to change their own lives, with our help."
So why did the UN think Katy was such a great fit for the job? Katy has demonstrated dedication to UNICEF's mission. In April 2013, she visited Madagascar to tour a center for abused and abandoned children. Katy also allowed her hit single Roar to be used as the soundtrack to a promotional video for the second annual "International Day of the Girl Child," which occurs on October 11 (see here for more on Day of the Girl). As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Katy joins a slew of other celebs working on behalf of the UN including: David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, Shakira and Serena Williams.
See Katy's International Day of the Girl Child" video below!

-Olivia O

Amidst Award Season, We Can't Forget SELF's "Women Doing Good" Honorees

for the women who don't just look good, but DO good

By: Nicole

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Between the Grammy's and the Golden Globes, it's easy to get sucked into the glamour of Hollywood. And that's okay. Enjoy the fashion reviews, the "who wore what" columns, and baby bump speculations. But when you're tired of the same old stuff, don't forget there are other awards being given out there in the world.

Back in September, SELF magazine held their 6th annual "Women Doing Good" banquet to honor those women who embrace their celebrity power and use it to help others. 2013's honorees ranged across the board in areas of health, humanitarian interest, education, and female empowerment. 

However, the big name of the year is that of "The Educator," known to the world as SHAKIRA.

I thought Shakira was a singer? 
While the majority of Americans know Shakira as a singer and dancer, her home country's youth know her as a warm person who fights to improve education. Born and raised in Colombia, Shakira has built schools and campaigned to change education policies so that more children have access to schooling. To date, she has opened six schools in the poorest areas of Colombia where up to 1/3 of the population is deemed to be below the poverty line. The seventh is currently being built in Cartagena.

Why does she do all of this? 
After growing up in one of the poorest areas of Colombia, she realized how much needed to be done. When Shakira became successful, she vowed to help those who couldn't help themselves.

As she has said:
" Investing in education is the most efficient tool to fight violence. Investing in our kids really is our only hope. They're our world's greatest resource. Not oil, not gas. It's the children of the world."

What are her causes? 
After releasing her third album at age 18, she began the Pies Descalzos Foundation in Colombia, opening a US counterpart named The Barefoot Foundation just a few years later. She currently serves on President Obama's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador!

Did you know about Shakira's foundations? Or can you think of another Celebrity that has done work to help the poor? Let us know in the comments section! 


Full story at: SELF MAGAZINE