DMochelle Fashions Magazine
September/October 2017
Origins of the Pink Ribbon
These days’ ribbons are worn for many different
causes. Red signifies AIDS awareness. A yellow
ribbon has long represented support for armed
forces. However, one of the most prominent ribbon
colors is pink, which aims to raise awareness of
and support for breast cancer.
Pink is a color that is uniquely feminine, and it also
represents a person full of health and vibrancy;
think of little babies pink with life. Pink is also a
color that seems the complete antithesis of cancer,
and thusly inspires hope for renewed health and
survival.
There is some controversy surrounding the origins
of the breast cancer mascot... the pink ribbon.
There are also suggestions that the ribbon was intended to be peach and not pink.
In 1992, just about every organization started using ribbons to raise awareness.
The New York Times actually dubbed 1992 "The Year of the Ribbon."
Alexandra Penney, the then-editor of Self magazine, wanted to create a ribbon for
the publication's second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. The
previous year she had worked with cosmetics giant Estee Lauder. Evelyn Lauder,
the senior corporate vice president, was herself a breast cancer survivor. Penney
thought a collaboration between the magazine and Lauder could see a ribbon on
cosmetic counters across the nation, and help sell a few magazines in the process.
The trouble was Penney had read a story about a 68-year-old woman, Charlotte
Haley, who was producing handmade ribbons in her home. Haley had a number
of people in her immediate family who had battled breast cancer and her
handmade "peach" ribbons intended to raise awareness about the limited
government funds being used for breast cancer research. Haley's message was
spreading by word of mouth.
Penney and Lauder contacted Haley and wanted to further collaborate on the
peach ribbon theme. However, Haley didn't want to be involved, saying the effort
would be too commercial. She refused to turn over rights to the use of the peach
ribbon. As a result, Penney consulted with attorneys who said to come up with
another color, and pink was eventually chosen.
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