News Details

Second-Annual WW Wellness Impact Award winners secure $265,000 in funding to support improving the well-being of women

NEW YORK, NY (June 8, 2022) — WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ: WW) (“WeightWatchers,” “WW,” or “the Company”) announced today the winners of its second-annual WW Wellness Impact Award, a global initiative aimed at empowering, uplifting and supporting local leaders that are addressing the health inequities faced in their communities.

This year's award celebrates organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women. Globally, women face higher rates of chronic health-related debilitating disorders and conditions¹, and in the U.S. specifically, these rates are even worse for Black women, Indigenous women and women of color. To help address these health discrepancies, selected organizations across geographic locations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand will receive grants to help further their missions.

“As an organization founded on community and human connection, this annual initiative is meant to raise awareness of wellness inequities, including those tied to gender,” said Sima Sistani, CEO of WW. “We know that women generally have higher rates of all wellness related issues, which is why this year, we’re thrilled to honor the trailblazers that are inspiring healthy habits and driving forward solutions for women in their local communities. Every community and everybody deserves resources and equal access for healthy living.”

More than 300 organizations were nominated, representing a wide range of women’s health organizations, from increasing access to menstrual products and reducing maternal fatality rates to creating inclusive hike clubs. Of those organizations, six across North America and 10 globally were selected to each receive a $15,000 grant awarded by WeightWatchers to support their mission.

In North America, this year’s awards specifically spotlight organizations dedicated to the advancement of wellness for women in Black, Indigenous and communities of color (BIPOC). Research shows that women in BIPOC communities face staggeringly worse health outcomes than their white counterparts, and primarily, these negative health outcomes are the result of historical and systemic bias toward historically excluded communities². Additionally, when it comes to funding and support, only 10 percent of grant dollars go to people of color³.

The North American grant winners are:

• Ch8sing Waterfalls, an Atlanta-based organization which empowers Black and Brown women to embrace the healing magic of nature by forging diversity and changing the narrative around the outdoors.
• Hike Clerb, Inc., a Los Angeles-based organization which equips BIPOC women with the tools, resources and experiences they need to collectively heal in nature.
• Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, which is dedicated to providing healing spaces for Native American women and families to prevent and intervene in unhealthy behaviors, as well as sustain healthy behaviors through cultural teachings, physical wellness opportunities and resources.
• Safe Haven Cancer Support Society, a Canada-based, BIPOC-founded organization that provides breast cancer education, promotes early detection and provides support to cancer patients, survivors and their families.
• Sapna NYC, a New York City-based organization that transforms the lives of South Asian immigrant women by improving their health, expanding their economic opportunities, creating social networks and building a collective voice for change.
• Sista Afya Community Care, a Chicago-based organization that builds sustainable mental wellness communities by providing affordable, culturally-centered mental wellness care and education to Black women.

In the global markets, the winning organizations focused on addressing barriers to women’s health across the board. The global grant winners are:

• The 1.6 & 2.6 Million Club, a Swedish nonprofit organization that aims to increase awareness of women’s health, improve medical research and promote healthcare for women.
• Acting for Women’s Health, a French organization that aims to improve the care and overall health of women furthest from the health system such as marginalized and historically excluded communities.
• Endo Help, a Swiss organization that supports women with endometriosis and adenomyosis on their journey before, during and after diagnosis.
• Dandelion Support Network, an Australian charity that provides nursery furniture and essential items for mothers and families in need.
• Instituto Bem do Estar, a Brazilian institute that encourages communities to talk, reflect and transform through programs dedicated to improving women’s mental wellness.
• Pink Ribbon Deutschland, a German organization that raises awareness of breast cancer prevention and early detection.
• Pink Ribbon Belgium, a Belgian organization dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, while focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment.
• Pink Ribbon Netherlands, a Dutch organization that supports breast cancer research on prevention and treatment.
• Wellbeing of Women, a UK-based organization that addresses women's health issues across the life course, through research, education and advocacy.
• Women’s Centre Rodney, a New Zealand based non-profit that provides mental health, legal and healing services to empower and connect women in New Zealand.

In addition to the grant, winners in North America will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of WeightWatchers campaigns and initiatives. They will also receive free WeightWatchers memberships for their community members and inclusion as a charity option in partnership with WW Good, WW’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Additionally, each of the winners will have exposure to the WeightWatchers community, as well as spotlight features to engage the WeightWatchers community on their causes.

Award finalists — Feed Black Futures, #HappyPeriod, Saffron Trust Women's Foundation, Southern Birth Justice Network and The Hive Community Circle — will also receive a donation and spotlight among the WeightWatchers community. The award jury selection process included the WW Wellness Impact Committee, a group of diverse employees that spanned levels and areas of the organization, as well as the broader community, including both members and non-members.

About WW International, Inc.
We are a human-centric technology company powered by the world's leading weight management program. For nearly six decades we have inspired millions of people to adopt healthy habits for real life. Through our comprehensive tools, expert Coaches, and community, members follow our proven, sustainable, science-based program focused on weight loss. To learn more about the WeightWatchers approach to healthy living, please visit ww.com. For more information about our global business, visit our corporate website at corporate.ww.com.

For more information, contact:
Kelsey Merkel, WW / WeightWatchers
kelsey.merkel@ww.com