Since its creation in the early 1990s, the pink ribbon has become internationally recognized as a symbol of breast cancer awareness. Supporters of the cause wear pink ribbons and other pink articles of clothing to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research and treatment. While its use has become widespread, the pink ribbon is not without controversy.
Origin
In 1982, Nancy G. Brinker formed the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of her sister. The organization was dedicated to fighting breast cancer and originated the Race for the Cure fitness walk and fundraiser in 1983. Race for the Cure has since become an international event, with more than 1.6 million participants in over 140 races, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
At a 1990 Race for the Cure held in Washington, D.C., the Komen Foundation distributed pink visors to participants. The following year, at a walk in New York City, the organization handed out pink ribbons.
Grassroots Efforts
Also in the early 1990s, Charlotte Haley, who had a history of breast cancer in her family, wanted to publicize the fact that the National Cancer Institute was spending only a small fraction of its budget on cancer prevention. Haley created peach ribbons that she distributed in her hometown along with cards bearing information about the lack of funding for prevention.
National Exposure
For its 1992 Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue, "Self" magazine wanted to use its own ribbon that guest editor Evelyn Lauder, vice president of Estee Lauder, would give away at her company's cosmetic counters. The magazine initially tried to work with Haley and use her peach ribbon, but an agreement could not be reached. Instead, the magazine chose a pink ribbon, and Estee Lauder distributed the ribbons along with instructions for performing a breast self-exam at its counters, providing the pink ribbon with national exposure.
Symbolism
The color pink is often associated with girls or women. The pink ribbon represents "femininity, charity, white middle-class womanhood, and survivorship," Samantha King writes in her book "Pink Ribbons, Inc.: Breast Cancer and the Politics of Philanthropy."
Controversy
Since its creation, the pink ribbon has been used as a symbol by many organizations and corporations, but some groups say that its message has been corrupted by consumerism. Breast Cancer Action, a watchdog group, states that some corporations may profit from using the pink ribbon to market their products. King writes that the pink ribbon is associated with good intentions and innocence, but, according to Breast Cancer Action, "Breast cancer isn't pretty," and the ribbon's message may not do enough to increase knowledge about the disease.
