MARY KAY ASH
Founder and Chairman Emeritus (continued)
A dynamic speaker, motivator and entrepreneur, Mary Kay was recognized for her achievements through numerous awards and honors, including:
  • Legal Services of North Texas "Equal Justice Award" in 2001 for her work to positively impact women's lives
  • "Most Outstanding Woman in Business in the 20th Century" by Lifetime Television in 1999
  • "Texas Woman of the Century" in 1999 by the Texas Women's Chamber of Commerce
  • National Business Hall of Fame election in 1996 by Fortune
  • " Pathfinder Award" in 1995 by the National Association of Women Business Owners
  • "Living Legend" Award in 1992 by the Direct Selling Education Foundation
  • "Business Leader of the '90s" Award by the Association of Women Business Owners in 1990
  • "Circle of Honor" Award in 1989 by The Direct Selling Education Foundation
  • First Annual "National Sales Hall of Fame" Award in 1989 by the Sales and Marketing Executives of New York
  • One of "America's 25 Most Influential Women" in the 1985 The World Almanac and Book of Facts
  • Horatio Alger "Distinguished American Citizen" Award in 1978
  • Guest appearances on national television shows, including: "60 Minutes," "Good Morning, America," "700 Club," "Hour of Power," "Oprah Winfrey," "Late Night with David Letterman," "Phil Donahue," and "Today Show"
In 1980, Mary Kay's husband Mel died of cancer. Having witnessed his suffering, she became committed to the fight to find a cure. Involved in fund raising for more than 20 years, she established the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation in 1996, a nonprofit public foundation that provides funding for research of cancers affecting women. Mary Kay twice served as honorary chairman of the Texas Breast Screening Project and was instrumental in helping pass legislation in Texas for insurance coverage of mammograms. In 2001, her Company and Foundation expanded its philanthropic efforts to address the growing epidemic of violence against women by underwriting an insightful documentary on domestic violence that aired nationwide on PBS. More information on Foundation programs can be found at www.marykay.com.
Her Life Continued