Legendary Mary Kay Ash named among USA TODAY Women of the Century list

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 -- Legendary business executive and philanthropist, Mary Kay Ash was named among Women of the Century by USA TODAY. This follows the 100th anniversary commemoration of the 19th amendment and women’s right to vote in the United States, according to a statement. USA TODAY released the Women of the Century USA TODAY 100, a list of female icons in entertainment, politics, civil rights, sports, arts, science and business who made the largest impact on American society in the last century. Mary Kay Ash founded Mary Kay Cosmetics (now Mary Kay Inc) in 1963 following a successful career in sales. Fifty-seven years later, Mary Kay products and independent beauty consultants are in nearly 40 countries worldwide. Before her death in 2001, Mary Kay also founded the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, which raised over US$90 million for domestic violence victims and cancer research. (US$1 = RM4.186) Fellow honorees include Dolly Parton, Gloria Estefan, Anna May Wong, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Billie Jean King and Oprah Winfrey. Women were selected through nominations and then narrowed down through rigorous debate by expert panelists in every state across the nation. -- BERNAMA