Pink Ribbon – The Universal Symbol For Breast Cancer Awareness
Many people ask how the pink ribbon came to be the universal symbol for breast cancer awareness.
At the first Komen National Race for the Cure - in Washington, D.C., in 1990, pink ribbons were distributed to recognize survivors. “Wearing a pink ribbon is a simple way to give the gift of life and hope to friends and family, while helping to bring us one step closer to finding a cure for breast cancer,” said Susan Braun, president and chief executive officer of the Komen Foundation.
Early in 1992, Alexandra Penney, then the editor in chief of Self, was busy designing the magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. The previous year’s effort, inspired and guest edited by Evelyn Lauder—Este Lauder senior corporate vice president and a breast cancer survivor—had been a huge hit. The question was, how to do it again and even better. Then Penney had a flash of inspiration—she would create a ribbon, and enlist the cosmetics giant to distribute it in New York City stores. Instead of just New York City, Evelyn Lauder promised to put the ribbon on cosmetics counters across the country.
