Comfort Zone Camp Founder Lynne Hughes Honored as 2025 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree
When Helen Mirren introduces you on stage, people pay attention.
On December 2nd, our Founder and CEO Lynne Hughes was named a 2025 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Hosted by Sophia Bush and livestreamed by Vanity Fair, the gala marked the 20th anniversary of the Women of Worth program—recognizing 200 remarkable changemakers who have transformed their communities over two decades.
Helen Mirren and Lynne Hughes at the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Gala, Academy Museum, Los Angeles; Lynne Hughes speaking about childhood grief on stage at the Women of Worth 20th Anniversary Gala; Lynne Hughes with “You’re Worth It” sign; Sophia Bush interviewing Lynne Hughes on the red carpet at the Academy Museum.
Bringing Childhood Grief Into the Spotlight
More important than the recognition itself was the platform it provided. Throughout the evening, Lynne shared a staggering statistic that drives everything we do: 1 in 11 children in the US will lose a parent or sibling before they turn 18. These children fall into the category of “at risk”—and Lynne was one of them.
“This recognition tells me that childhood grief is finally getting the attention it deserves,” Lynne shared. In her red carpet interview with Sophia Bush, she talked about why grieving children need more than sympathy—they need community, connection, and a place where their grief is understood. Watch Lynne speak on stage about Comfort Zone Camp’s mission.
In a conversation with L’Oréal Paris ambassador Aja Naomi King, Lynne shared Comfort Zone Camp’s incredible impact: over 26,000 children served across 50 states through more than 500 camps. Watch all ten Women of Worth honorees share their missions in this inspiring video.
From Dream to Reality
Twenty-six years ago, Comfort Zone Camp was just a dream born from Lynne’s own grief after losing both parents as a child. After experiencing firsthand the isolation that comes with loss, she founded the nation’s first free bereavement camp for children who have lost parents, siblings, or primary caregivers.
Each Women of Worth honoree receives a $25,000 grant, mentorship from the L’Oréal Paris network, and a national platform to amplify their mission. For Comfort Zone Camp, this means we can reach even more grieving families who need our support.
Your Support Makes This Possible
None of this would be possible without you—our dedicated community of supporters who believe in our mission. Your generosity allows us to provide free weekend camps where grieving children can “turbo-bond” with peers who understand their pain, work through their grief with trained mentors, and rediscover what it means to just be a kid again.
As we celebrate this incredible honor, we’re also looking ahead. The world is finally listening to the needs of grieving children, and we need to make sure we’re ready to serve every child who needs us.
Be Their Anchor!
L’Oréal Paris believes every woman is worth it. We believe every grieving child is worth it.
Be Their Anchor and help us prove it!
Your year-end gift helps us send more grieving children to camp in 2026. Together, we’re creating a world where no child has to walk through grief alone. Make your year-end gift here 💙
Yasmine Arrington Brooks of ScholarCHIPS; Gloria Umanah of Hope Booth; Olivia Zhang of Cancer Kids First; Olivia Zhang of Cancer Kids First; Keely Cat-Wells of Making Space; Amy Bowers Cordalis of Ridges to Riffles; Mizpah Brown-Rich of Joshua’s Gift; Cristina Rodriguez of Mind&Melody; Sloane Davidson of Hello Neighbor; Dr. Anita Ravi of PurpLE Health Foundation; and Lynne B. Hughes of Comfort Zone Camp.
