Origins of the pink ribbon
This month, being breast cancer awareness month, many of you will be wearing pink ribbons, the symbol of breast cancer awareness and support we have all become so familiar with. But have you ever given any thought to the origins of the pink ribbon and how it started life as the breast cancer awareness symbol?
The pink ribbon actually started life as a peach coloured ribbon and the first person to use it as a symbol of solidarity with those diagnosed with breast cancer, was a lady called Charlotte Haley.
In 1991, Alexandra Penny, editor-in-chief of Self, a woman’s health magazine, was working on the second annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. Evelyn Lauder, senior corporate vice president at Estee Lauder, was invited to be the guest editor of the NBCAM issue edition. They had heard about Charlotte’s peach ribbons and approached her to see if you would let them use the concept for their own campaign, but Hayley rejected the offer, saying that they were too commercial. Criticism of the concept is still alive today Samantha King describes in her 2006 book, Pink Ribbons, Inc: Breast Cancer and the Politics of Philanthropy how breast cancer has been transformed from a serious disease to a market-driven industry of corporate sales pitch (but that’s a discussion for another day!).
Lauder and Penney consulted with their lawyers, to determine where to go from here with the concept and they came up with a “new” color. The new colour of the ribbon was pink and has become an international symbol for breast cancer awareness in the intervening years.
I never gave much thought to the pink ribbon’s origins but this was interesting to read today.
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I would have to agree with the above statement that breast cancer has been transformed from a serious disease to a market-driven industry of corporate sales pitch and when I see the pink ribbon symbol adorning so many products in October, it brings out the cynical side of me!
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I would have to agree with Adele – I do feel slightly cynical during the month of October too.
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Hope you do write a follow up post to this Marie – would be very interested in your take on this commericalisation of the whole pink ribbon movement.
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Really interesting Marie and I deeply admire Charlotte’s tenacity. While the pink ribbon has done a monumental amount to raise awareness of breast cancer, it’s just such a shame that it is so often used and abused for commercial gain, undermining the work of genuine efforts.
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Well said Paula and I am becoming increasingly more uncomfortable with the commercialisation of the pink ribbon movement. I am definitely going to do a follow up post on this!
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Am joining the voices that say humbug to nay sayers.
Would you please tell me ONE thing that has not been commercialized in America and internationally including all holidays, sports, babies, religion, etc.
So what?
If it makes people think and respond , that is the purpose. I fail to see how it undermines the work of anything worthwhile. Are citizens that shallow?
It gives life to a dreadful disease.
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My mom Charlotte Haley would have been proud of all your positive comments! She died Feb. 2, 2014
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Marie another great post. I know there is alot of commercialism associated with the symbol of the pink ribbon however for me as I listen to all of the stories of Breast Cancer survivors during the awareness month of October it creates in me a sense of pride in me that connects me to all of the other sisters that have had breast cancer.
I am reminded that we are a force that is strong and have instilled in us courage that we never thought possible to endure this horrible disease. Afterall that is the intent of the pink ribbon isn’t it? Guess it is like Hallmark commercializing Christmas and other holidays just to make a buck. We need to look underneith the layers to get the true meaning. Long distant hugs gals!
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Well I didn’t know that! Figured it had started with some commercial angle.
I’ve always thought that it’s a shame that it’s such a feminine colour as this pushes further against men being able to say they also have breast cancer.
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Hi Anna. Great to have your comment here! It is an excellent point and one I’d be interested in writing about at a later date. Thanks for pointing that out! Yours in health, Marie
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I had no idea there was so much cynicism toward the pink ribbon and all it represents (or fails to represent) until I started reading different blogs. Now I am starting to think more and more about how commercialized pink October has become. I’m still trying to sort out where I stand on it all. I think I’ll have to blog on it, too, before the month is out!
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Pingback: Breast cancer ISN’T pink..and other stories « Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer
Go Haley!
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I know this an old article but i willl like to say; Being an Uterine/Endometrial Cancer survivor it stinks that Breast Cancer out shines all the other cancers, none are mentioned, celebrated, like Breast Cancer! Females need to get their annual pap smear just as much as they need their breast examine! Please remeber that September is GynoCancer Month!
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Hi Elisha, I DO agree with you that BC gets a disproportionate amount of attention when compared to other cancers, so thanks for your comment
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