Evelyn Lauder

Evelyn Lauder – Life, Legacy, and Meaningful Words

Discover the life, achievements, and lasting legacy of Evelyn Lauder — co-creator of the pink ribbon, cosmetics executive, philanthropist, and powerful advocate for breast cancer awareness.

Introduction

Evelyn Lauder (née Hausner; August 12, 1936 – November 12, 2011) was an Austrian-born American businesswoman, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur. She is best known as a senior executive at Estée Lauder Companies and as one of the principal architects behind the global symbol of breast cancer awareness: the pink ribbon. Through her work, she raised awareness, funds, and hope for millions affected by breast cancer. Her life bridged the worlds of business, activism, art, and healthcare — and her influence endures in both cosmetics and public health.

Early Life and Family

Evelyn Hausner was born on August 12, 1936 in Vienna, Austria, into a Jewish family.

Her early childhood was overshadowed by rising threats in Austria. In 1938, following the Anschluss, her family fled Vienna, using their household silver to secure visas to Belgium.

In New York, the family sought to rebuild. The precise professions of her parents are less documented in public accounts, though some sources say her father operated a small business.

Youth, Education, and Early Career

In New York, Evelyn attended public schools, eventually graduating from Hunter College High School in 1954. Hunter College (City University of New York), where she majored in Psychology and Anthropology, graduating in 1958.

While a college student, she met Leonard A. Lauder on a blind date.

In her early post–college years, Evelyn taught public school in Harlem, New York, before transitioning to business roles through her connection with the Lauder family.

Business Career & Achievements

Entry into Estée Lauder and rising roles

After marrying Leonard Lauder, Evelyn became involved in the family’s cosmetics firm, Estée Lauder Companies.

She became Senior Corporate Vice President of Estée Lauder Companies, and also served as head of fragrance development globally.

Innovation, product lines, and brand influence

Evelyn had significant influence in shaping product development and branding strategies, especially in fragrance and training.

She also was active in marketing and in aligning product launches with philanthropic awareness, marrying commercial ambitions with purpose.

Philanthropy & Breast Cancer Advocacy

Diagnosis and motivation

In 1989, Evelyn Lauder was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pink Ribbon and awareness campaigns

In 1992, Lauder partnered with Alexandra Penney (editor of Self magazine) to establish the pink ribbon as the visual symbol for breast cancer awareness.

She also oversaw the creation of cosmetic products bearing the “Pink Ribbon” color, where proceeds would support breast cancer research.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation & Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center

In 1993, Evelyn Lauder founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

Earlier, in 1992, she had catalyzed the funding for the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, a dedicated facility for diagnosis, care, and research of breast cancer.

By 2008, Estée Lauder’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns had raised over USD 335 million and distributed tens of millions of pink ribbons.

Her advocacy extended beyond fundraising: she used her influence to destigmatize breast cancer, promote screening, and leverage corporate resources for social good.

Legacy and Influence

Evelyn Lauder’s legacy spans business, health, and social consciousness:

• The pink ribbon has become a universal emblem of breast cancer awareness, used by countless organizations worldwide.

• The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which she founded, continues to fund cutting-edge research globally.

• The Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center remains a flagship institution in breast health — integrating diagnosis, patient care, and research.

• In the cosmetics world, she exemplified how an executive could integrate corporate influence with social purpose — aligning branding, product strategy, and philanthropy.

• Beyond health, Evelyn was also a passionate photographer. Her photographic works were exhibited in galleries across the U.S. and abroad, and her art was displayed in the very medical spaces she helped fund.

• Her example inspired many business leaders and philanthropists to see the potential in combining enterprise with activism, especially in fields affecting women’s health.

Personality and Talents

Evelyn Lauder was known as warm, elegant, well-organized, and deeply compassionate.

Her love of photography revealed a subtle, observant side — she often sought to reveal hidden patterns of light, shadow, and detail in nature and everyday objects.

She was also known for her humility: she preferred focusing credit and attention on research and individuals impacted by breast cancer rather than promoting herself.

Her resilience, particularly in facing her own health challenges, lent her activism a deeply personal authenticity.

Known Quotes & Reflections

While Evelyn Lauder was less known for quotable lines than for her actions, some of her reflections and statements capture her values:

“My mission is to walk down the hallways of breast cancer and open doors.”
— Statement reflecting her vision for advocacy (paraphrased in press).

“I always wanted to do something that would last beyond me.”
— Expressing motivation behind her work with BCRF and the breast center.

On photography: “My motivation … is to reveal something that one might not otherwise see.”

Such statements reflect a person with vision, humility, and a desire to leave a positive, lasting imprint on the world.

Lessons from Evelyn Lauder

1. Integrate purpose with profession. Evelyn showed that business can be a vehicle for social change.

2. Turn personal challenges into action. Her breast cancer diagnosis became a springboard, not a limitation.

3. Sustain impact through institutions. She built enduring structures (BCRF, breast center) so her work would outlast her.

4. Use symbols thoughtfully. The pink ribbon is simple yet universal — love, solidarity, awareness.

5. Give space to others. She often pushed credit toward researchers, survivors, and participants rather than centering herself.

6. Cultivate multiple interests. Her artistic pursuits in photography show how following varied passions enriches perspective.

Conclusion

Evelyn Lauder’s life was one of reinvention, service, and understated influence. From an immigrant child fleeing oppression to a corporate leader and pioneering health advocate, she traveled a path rooted in resilience and compassion. Her name lives on through the pink ribbon, the research she enabled, and the lives touched by her vision.

Exploring her story invites us not only to honor her achievements but also to ask: how might we combine our skills, values, and opportunities to build something meaningful — something that lasts beyond ourselves?