Mary Kay Ash’s birthday gives women around the world a chance to celebrate her life and all her accomplishments. Employees and independent sales force members alike mark the occasion in various ways from parties to donations to The Mary Kay Foundation℠. Today, you’ll learn how this tradition got started along with moments we've pulled from the archives.
1966. In honor of her own birthday, Mary Kay Ash decided to give Mary Kay independent sales force members a present! Every sales force member who placed a $500 wholesale order during her birthday month received a beautiful handbag.
1972. In the early days of Mary Kay Inc., all Independent Sales Directors came to monthly educational sessions with Mary Kay Ash. They always planned a special party for her during their May meeting. This year, Independent National Sales Director Emeritus Dalene White presented Mary Kay with a Catherine Borg painting titled Madeline. The painting now hangs on the 13th floor of The Mary Kay Building. At this same meeting, Mary Kay’s husband, Mel, gave her a diamond bumblebee pin.
1980s. Mary Kay Ash’s personal support staff – including our own Jennifer Cook, Becky Brown and Nancy Thomason – hosted a luncheon for her. They would all bring dishes from the original cookbook, Cooking With Mary Kay.
1998. Mary Kay celebrated her birthday at home with her family on May 12. They enjoyed an elegant lunch prepared by the Mary Kay Restaurant. She loved the cards and gifts she received and enjoyed watching the video of her birthday celebration at The Mary Kay Building.
2004. The Mary Kay Foundation℠ launched Team Up for Women!® to honor Mary Kay’s birthday. The program started to continue her tradition of asking Mary Kay independent sales force members to donate to cancer research instead of sending her a birthday card. Mary Kay believed every donation of any size mattered. We do too!
2005. Mary Kay Inc. employees around the country celebrated Mary Kay Day by giving back to others. In California, employees presented a check to a local domestic violence outreach center as part of their celebration. In Texas, employees collected more than 1,000 care kits for Dallas-area shelters.
2015. Mary Kay Inc. employees will celebrate with a giveaway and treat at most locations. They will also sign encouraging postcards for the Mary Kay independent sales force.
Be part of her legacy. Honor Mary Kay Ash! You can still make a donation to the Team Up for Women!® campaign until May 17.