Her Awards

Dynamic speaker, inspiring motivator, visionary entrepreneur – these qualities helped make
Mary Kay Ash a powerful leader in business and in her community. Throughout her life, she was recognized for her achievements with these awards and honors.


  2007
  Mary Kay on the Biography Channel produced by A&E Television Networks
   
  2004
  One of the 25 Most Influential Business Leaders of the Last 25 Years by PBS and the Wharton School of Business
   
  2003
  Greatest Female Entrepreneur in American History by Baylor University
   
  2002
  Dallas Business Hall of Fame Laureate in recognition of her lifetime achievements as well as demonstrating inspiring business and community leadership, industry vision and service as a business and civic role model in the community
  National Conference on Medical Care and Domestic Violence Community Service Award, now known as the Mary Kay Ash Award
   
  2001
  Women's Advocacy Award, Legal Services of North Texas Inc.
  What's Next? Women Redefining Their Dreams in the Prime of Life, by Rena Pederson, book feature
 
  Texas Monthly article, "Where Are They Now?"
  The Very Best Opportunity for Women, by Angela L. Moore and Lisa Stringfellow, book feature
  Feminine Fortunes: Women of the Next Millennium magazine feature, honoring the achievements of professional women
   
  2000
  Lifetime Television Network as the most influential woman in business during the 20th century
  Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation mission expanded to include programs devoted to the prevention of violence against women
  One of 39 American women featured in the Unforgettable Women section of The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future
  One of the "Champions of Commerce" in August issue of Dallas Woman
  100 Christian Women Who Changed the 20th Century, by Helen Kooiman Hosier
  Cover story for The Godly Business Woman, July/August issue
   
  1999
  Women of the Century award from Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas, honoring the state's 100 most influential women of this century
  "Salesman of the Century" Texas Monthly magazine's December issue featuring Texans who shaped the state over the past century
  One of 20, and the only woman business leader, profiled in Forbes Greatest Business Stories of All Time
   
  1998
  One of six personalities who shaped the industry in the past 100 years in a special collector's edition of Women's Wear Daily
   
  1996
  Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation to fund innovative research studies for cancers affecting women and provide financial support for nonprofit cancer organizations for education and assistance
  One of the Legends of Texas through the “Legends of Texas” Bridge project, Georgetown, Texas
  National Business Hall of Fame by Fortune magazine and Junior Achievement
  One of 20 entrepreneurs profiled in Forbes Greatest Business Stories of All Time
   
  1995
  Third book, You Can Have It All, achieved best-seller status during first week of sales
  National Association of Women Business Owners 1995 Pathfinder Award
   
  1994
  Honorable Mention Award for Awareness and Achievement from the Board of Sponsors of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
   
  1993
  Mary Kay Museum dedication, a 3,000-square-foot tribute to 30 years of direct selling success
  Mary Kay Ash/St. Paul Medical Center Mobile Cancer Screening Unit, Dallas dedication
  First female recipient of the Kupfer Distinguished Executive Award, Texas A&M University
  Dallas Mother of the Year, Dallas Can! Academy
  Outstanding Texas Citizen, Texas Exchange Clubs
   
  1992
  Living Legend Award, Direct Selling Education Foundation
   
  1991
  Outstanding Woman of the Year, Les Femmes du Monde
   
  1990
  Outstanding Business Leader Award, Northwood Institute
  National Family Business Award, Baylor University
  Women of Achievement Award, General Federation of Women's Clubs
  Business Leader of the '90s Award, Association of Women Business Owners
  Individual Komen Award for Philanthropy, Komen Foundation for the Advancement of Breast Cancer Research
   
  1989
  Sovereign Fund Award by Founder and President Kurt W. Simon to “one outstanding citizen who has rendered great service to the cause of individual freedom in America"
  First Annual National Sales Hall of Fame Award, Sales and Marketing Executives of Greater New York
  Circle of Honor Award, Direct Selling Education Foundation
   
  1988
  Honorary chairperson yearlong Texas Breast Screening Project
  "Great American Entrepreneur" series at the Smithsonian Institute
   
  1987
  Christian Excellence Award in Business, International Association of Women in Leadership
  Churchwoman of the Year Award, Religious Heritage of America
   
  1986
  Woman of the Year, Crystal Cathedral Christian Executive Women
  Distinguished Woman Award, Northwood Institute
  One of the women entrepreneurs featured in the National Federation of Independent Businesses Report and honored by President Reagan
  Texas Business Hall of Fame Award
  Texas Women's Hall of Fame Award
   
  1985
  Outstanding Women in Business in Dallas Award, The Dallas Chamber of Commerce
  Number eight in "The Savvy 60" list of top U.S. businesses run by women
  America's 25 Most Influential Women in 1985, The World Almanac and Book of Facts
   
  1984
  Women's Award of Achievement, Women's City Club of Cleveland, Ohio
  Mary Kay on People Management published by Warner Books; featured on The New York Times best-seller list for 11 weeks
   
  1983
  Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
  One of the "100 Most Important Women in America" by Ladies' Home Journal
  Outstanding Corporate Sales Executive, The Gallaghar Report
   
  1982
  Distinguished Business Leadership Award, University of Texas at Arlington College of Business Administration and Advisory Council
  Golden Achievement Award from Incentive Manufacturers Representatives Association
   
  1981
  Business Award for Excellence in Community Service, Dallas Historical Society
  Free Enterprise Award, San Fernando Valley Business and Professional Association and the Free Enterprise Award Committee
  Mary Kay by Mary Kay, published by Harper and Row
  Saturday Evening Post cover photo and feature story
   
  1980
  Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement
   
  1979
  60 Minutes profile
   
  1978
  Horatio Alger Distinguished American Citizen Award, Horatio Alger Association
  Cosmetic Career Woman of the Year Award, Cosmetics Career Women, Inc.
   
  1977
  Dale Carnegie Leadership Award for "assisting the Mary Kay independent sales force in programs of self-development leading to improved performance and personal growth”
   
  1976
  Hall of Fame Award, Direct Selling Association