Mary Kay Inc., a long-time leader in global female empowerment, announced Monique Coleman has been named the brand’s first-ever Pink Changing Lives Honoree.
Pink Changing Lives—Mary Kay’s global commitment to celebrate the individuals and organizations that improve women’s and girls’ lives around the world—has supported more than three million women and their families by partnering with over 2,000 organizations and donating over $15 million.
Mary Kay’s Pink Changing Lives cause empowerment program donates funds to organizations focused on supporting cancer research, helping end hunger, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying communities and many other programs empowering women and girls. In 2020, Mary Kay created the Pink Changing Lives Honoree program to celebrate influential women from around the world who change lives—and history—for the better.
Long before Monique Coleman first graced the silver screen as Taylor McKessie in Disney’s High School Musical, she was a young girl with big dreams of changing the world. Coleman is an advocate for improving the social and economic well-being of young people, most notably being appointed the first United Nations Youth Champion in 2010. As Youth Champion, Coleman raised awareness around the most serious challenges facing young women the world-over, including poverty, domestic violence, sexual assault and lack of educational resources.
“Nearly 16 percent of the world’s population are between the ages of 15 and 24,” said Sheryl Adkins-Green, chief marketing officer of Mary Kay. “When selecting our first-ever Pink Changing Lives Honoree, we searched for someone who could give a voice to that often-underrepresented 1.2 billion people, particularly teens. Ms. Coleman, a trailblazer and tireless youth advocate, unapologetically embodies our mission.”
Over the years, Coleman has supported various charities including Thirst Project, She’s The First, Global Kids, Lollipop Theater, Better Youth, WeDay, Playworks, Allstate Foundation and UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign—to name a few. During her tenure as UN Youth Champion, she embarked on a self-initiated tour of 24 countries to encourage people to act on the most pressing issues facing young people today.
“Young girls today, especially those who live in under-served communities, face unprecedented challenges, and at the same time, unparalleled opportunity,” said Coleman. “I feel the most important work I do is the work I do to help others, so I’m honored to be recognized by Mary Kay as their first-ever Pink Changing Lives Honoree. It’s my hope that organizations like Mary Kay continue to help girls around the world tap into their potential now and into the future.”
