Gap Inc.
December 9, 2021
Since 2020, the P.A.C.E. Awards were established to celebrate and thank the organizations and individuals who are helping create sustainable economies and a culture of equality and belonging for the women in our value chain through our Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) program. And last night, we were honored to recognize and celebrate not one, not two…but ten exemplary partners or individuals around the globe as the P.A.C.E. Awards 2021 winners!
MB Laughton, President and CEO of Athleta, shared opening remarks to celebrate the program and partnerships that have provided life-changing support to more than 900,000 women. With a mission of igniting a community of active, healthy, confident women and girls who empower each other to reach their limitless potential, she noted the special place the P.A.C.E. program holds for Athleta. P.A.C.E. is an extension of Athleta’s mission - giving women a voice and an opportunity to positively change the trajectory of their lives, their family’s lives, and the lives of those in their communities. That is limitless potential magnified across hundreds of thousands of women.
In addition, Sally Gilligan, Chief Growth Transformation Officer at Gap Inc. presented our first lifetime achievement award to the late Wg. Cdr. P.R.N. Murthy VSM (Retd.). Mr. Murthy trained many of the current P.A.C.E Program Specialists and Master Trainers in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and China. Though he is no longer with us, his contribution to the P.A.C.E program can never be forgotten. He contributed his life's work on capacity building to make Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. a very simple and effective program for any audience.
Read on to learn more about what makes them exceptional (and hear from some of them as well)!
The Power of She - Best P.A.C.E. Individual Story Award goes to a unique P.A.C.E. impact story in the life of a participant. The story must involve a deep understanding of human emotions, motivations and psychology to truly touch the audience. The concept should be unique in the transformation and metamorphosis of the character in the story. Demonstrating how she became an agent of change and what it means for her life. Humara Bachpan Trust (India) was the recipient of this year’s award. Learn more about her here.
The Our Voice Our Power - Best P.A.C.E. Community Impact Impact Story Award goes to the partner that showed transformative change in the workplace or in the community thanks to the lessons learned in the P.A.C.E. program. CARE India Solutions for Sustainable Development (India) was the recipient of this year’s award. Learn more about them here.
The P.A.C.E. Spirited Trainer - Recognition of a P.A.C.E. Trainer Award goes to an individual who has demonstrated the ability to inspire, work, and communicate effectively with the participants. This trainer must score high on the knowledge, skills and attitudes that it takes to be a P.A.C.E. trainer. She/he must be a respectful and loved role model among their peers and participants. Heifer International Cambodia (Cambodia) was the recipient of this year’s award. Learn more about them here.
The Leaving Your Mark - Thematic Impact Award goes to the partner that presented the best P.A.C.E. thematic impact story. Their video showcased how the program has helped partners tackle some of the thematic problems they face on the ground. CARE India Solutions for Sustainable Development (India) was the recipient of this award. Learn more about them here.
The P.A.C.E. Photo of the Year Award goes to the partner that showcased the “spirit of P.A.C.E. through the Local Lens. Featured above, Cambodia – Yi Da Manufacturer Co. Limited was the recipient of this year’s award. The winning image is featured at the top of this story.
The P.A.C.E. Advocacy Champion Award was awarded to the partner that has celebrated change makers and showed the important role that P.A.C.E. can play in their settings. These partners amplify their voice through media and news coverages creating visibility for the programs and advocacy for the P.A.C.E. program with relevant state departments. Shahi Exports Private Limited, (India) was the recipient of this year’s award. Learn more about them here.
The Digital Content Creator Award is awarded to the individual or stakeholder who has gone above and beyond creating digital content to adapt to our “new normal” and continue to reach their goals. Zhongshan Yida Apparel Limited (China) was the recipient of this year’s award. Learn more about them here.
The Goodera Champions Award is awarded to the partner that has diligently submitted all of their Goodera data metrics, reported all KPIs and shared impact stories of their programs. Refat Garments Limited (Bangladesh) was the recipient of this award. Learn more about them here.
The Lighthouse - P.A.C.E. Council Award goes to a partner who has contributed to the strategic thinking and knowledge building for the future of Women’s Empowerment. International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) was the recipient of this year's award. Learn more about them here.
The One In A Million - Lifetime Achievement Award goes to an individual whose contributions added huge value to the P.A.C.E. Curriculums, Program Strategy, Scale & Impact. The late Wg. Cdr. P.R.N. Murthy VSM (Retd.) was the recipient of this year's award. Mr. Murthy contributed his life's work on capacity building to make Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. a very simple and effective program for any audience.
He also personally trained many of the P.A.C.E current team of Program Specialists and Master Trainers in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and China. Although he is no longer with us, his contribution to the P.A.C.E program will never be forgotten.
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