Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay Ash (May 12, 1918 – November 22, 2001) founded Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963, revolutionizing the direct sales model for beauty products. She authored several books, including her autobiography "Mary Kay: The Success Story of America's Most Dynamic Businesswoman" (1981), which became a bestseller. Ash's innovative approach to empowering women in business was highlighted by the company's hallmark “Pink Cadillac” incentive, awarded to top-performing sales directors. Under her leadership, Mary Kay Cosmetics grew into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, with a global sales force numbering in the millions. In 1996, she was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame, solidifying her status as a pioneering businesswoman.