2009S0099-1 01/15/09
By: Shapiro S.C.R. No. 24
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mary Kay Ash, founder of the Dallas-based,
internationally known cosmetics firm that bears her name, became
one of the most successful and respected American business leaders
of the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, She was born on May 12, 1918, in Hot Wells, Texas,
and grew up in Houston; Mrs. Ash enjoyed a successful career in
direct sales before retiring in 1963; following her retirement, she
embarked on a book-writing project designed to help women survive
in the male-dominated business world; upon reviewing her early
notes for the book, she realized that she had inadvertently created
a marketing plan for a successful "dream company"; and
WHEREAS, On Friday, September 13, 1963, with her life savings
of $5,000 and with the help of her 20-year-old son Richard Rogers,
she launched Mary Kay Cosmetics; within two years, the company's
wholesale sales had reached almost $1 million; in 2006, the company
recorded $2.25 billion in wholesale sales and had an independent
sales force of more than 1.7 million beauty consultants in over 30
markets around the world; and
WHEREAS, Powerfully influenced by her mother's struggle to
support her family and by her own experience of gender
discrimination, Mary Kay Ash intended her company to provide women
with unlimited opportunity for personal and financial success, and
since its founding, Mary Kay Cosmetics has continued to reflect
that goal; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Mrs. Ash showed others how to
give; a generous and strong woman, she believed in putting God
first, and she believed that with praise and encouragement, anyone
could succeed; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Mrs. Ash established the Mary Kay Ash
Charitable Foundation for the purpose of funding research on the
leading cancers affecting women; today the foundation also supports
efforts to prevent violence against women and to help women who have
been victims of abuse; every October, the foundation observes
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by awarding grants to
deserving women's shelters across the country; in 2008, the
foundation awarded $20,000 grants to more than 150 shelters; and
WHEREAS, A phenomenally talented lady who led by example,
Mrs. Ash authored an autobiography, a motivational book, and a
volume about management, all of which became best sellers; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of myriad accolades, Mary Kay Ash was
named the Most Outstanding Woman in Business in the 20th Century by
Lifetime Television and was chosen as one of the 25 most influential
business leaders of the last 25 years by PBS and the Wharton School
of the University of Pennsylvania in 2004; she was elected to the
Business Hall of Fame by Fortune magazine and was designated a
Horatio Alger Distinguished American Citizen; Mary Kay Cosmetics
has been ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 best companies
to work for in America and as one of the 10 best companies for women;
and
WHEREAS, Mary Kay Ash passed away on November 22, 2001,
having achieved the pinnacle of success and having established a
legacy that will continue to provide opportunity and hope for women
for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate May 12, 2009, as Mary Kay Ash Day in the State of
Texas.
Designating May 12, 2009, as Mary Kay Ash Day in the State of Texas.