Mary Kay's Awards & Acheivements

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