It could be said that her legendary status comes fromcreating a brand that's a household name, or from themarvelous marketing prowess by which she virtuallyowns the color pink. She could be lauded as one of thegreatest executives to ever lead a company. Indeed, allof those plaudits would be true. But what endears thelate MARY KAY ASH far beyond cosmetics, businessgenius, or financial success is her role as a champion ofwomen. It is a role now celebrated by four generationsof women on five continents who are part of an independentsales force family that numbers more than onemillion. In 1963, Mary Kay Ash set out to changewomen's lives for the better. In 1981, she wrote this autobiography to provide a personal perspective onher remarkable journey. Not only was it a bestseller buttoday there are more than two million copies in print.Her other two books also achieved bestseller acclaim.

A self-described "ordinary woman with extraordinarydetermination," Mary Kay Ash often said that she aimed to provide opportunities for women that did not exist during the twenty-five years when she was a working mother struggling to make ends meet. "When we began in 1963, we meant to change the lives of a few people. Instead we are changing the world," she wrote in her company magazine in 1989.

After decades of success, Mary Kay was asked what it was that motivated her now that she had achieved so much. Her words spoke volumes about her quest and the company's mission to enrich women's lives: "If today one more woman learns how great she really is, then for me it has been a great day."

What Mary Kay did for the economic liberation ofwomen is what truly secures her legacy and extends itpast the vast boundaries of her beloved native Texas.How she did it is a success story that has captured thehearts and minds of the world. This is her story in herown words. It is followed by an epilogue that reflectson the life of this most remarkable woman.