‘Femme Actuelle’ Introduces Award For Great Women

Unknown beauties graced the covers of the first 1,125 issues of “Femme Actuelle,” but issue number 1,126, which hits newsstands today, breaks with this 20-year tradition: Michèle Laroque, a French actress, is on its cover. This striking change marks a milestone in the history of France’s most successful women’s magazine, flagship of G+J’s French subsidiary Prisma Presse and a familiar sight on newsstands for over 20 years now. The famous face on the cover announces to the world that “Femme Actuelle” has brought a new award into being, the “Prix des Femmes Formidables” or Award for Great Women.

The award will honor women who make a key contribution to the well-being of children and teens with their efforts and commitment to the community. Michèle Laroque, the actress featured on the cover, is the patron of the “Prix des Femmes Formidables.” As Muriel Picard, editor-in-chief of “Femme Actuelle,” emphasizes: “We are delighted that Michèle Laroque is joining us in this great project. For many women, she is not only a talented actress but also embodies generosity, openness to other people’s problems, and dedication.”

As the project’s patron, the actress also heads the panel of judges consisting of noted personalities from the charity sector. They and the magazine’s readers will have a say on who deserves to win the “Prix des Femmes Formidables”. The winner will be announced in November 2006. Loïc Guilloux, the executive publisher of Prisma Presse women’s magazines, wished the newly created award all the best for the future: “Here’s to a long life for the ‘Prix des Femmes Formidables’ – may its level of recognition, combined with the strength of ‘Femme Actuelle,’ engender new civic engagement and encourage greater solidarity.”