I don’t think I’m alone when I say I have a complicated relationship with the color pink. We’ve featured some extraordinary women who want nothing to do with the color and it’s female-centric characteristics. But let’s also share a perspective from the other side of the pink aisle. When it comes to the psychology of colors, pink is considered a hopeful hue, representing caring, compassion and love. That’s something I can definitely get behind. To celebrate all the wonderful things this shade stands for, pucker up with some pink lipstick or pour yourself a well-deserved glass of rosé. Today, everything’s coming up rosy!
WOMEN IN NUMBERS: 1 in 6
Of course, another perspective on the color pink is that it represents things that are weak or immature. That comes as no surprise, considering pink is most commonly linked to women, who are often viewed as second-class citizens or playthings to be left to the whims of men. It’s truly terrifying that one in six women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. But we modern-day women are taking a stand against that kind of treatment. Yes, change can be slow-moving, but it’s work we must keep doing. We must take back our power and live on our terms. That’s why we love Undercover Colors. It’s a technologically advanced nail polish that, when dipped into a drink, identifies within seconds whether the beverage has been tampered with by changing colors in the presence of date-rape drugs. Now that’s what I call putting power at women’s fingertips!
WOMAN TO WATCH: Cindy Whitehead, CEO of The Pink Ceiling
That innovative nail polish was partially funded by today’s Woman to Watch, glass-ceiling-busting entrepreneurial powerhouse Cindy Whitehead. She’s the CEO of The Pink Ceiling, a women-focused biz that’s part venture-capital firm, part “pinkubator,” part consulting enterprise and all awesome!
Cindy is a no-nonsense gal who wholeheartedly embraces pink, and has even been dubbed “unapologetically pink.” An unapologetic woman? Yes, please! For her, wearing a rosy wardrobe as a high-powered entrepreneur has helped quash stereotypes and open a few minds to the remarkable things women are capable of.
Prior to launching The Pink Ceiling, Cindy spent her career totally ruling in the health-care industry, and within the past decade, sold two businesses for more than $1.5 billion! She co-founded and was CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which gained much acclaim in 2015, when the company achieved the first-ever FDA approval for a drug the media dubbed “the female Viagra.” As an outspoken proponent of women’s reproductive rights, Cindy gained a ton of recognition from publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Fortune and The New York Times.
The Pink Ceiling is the culmination of that success. It’s Cindy’s way of making an impact through products she believes will help people. For starters, Cindy’s mission is to bank on women-led and women-focused entrepreneurial businesses. As her Pinkubator website notes, Cindy has “walked a mile in your stilettos and will now walk alongside you, offering access to influencers and marketing specialists that shape your strategies and success.” It’s just one way Cindy is helping female entrepreneurs learn everything there is to know about brand awareness, media strategies and more, all while fostering a mentoring atmosphere in which women are the boss.
Though Cindy is entirely passionate about helping women make a difference in the world through entrepreneurship, she also knows becoming successful takes a lot of effort, noting that female entrepreneurs should not expect their ventures to make them feel like magical unicorns, rather like committed workhorses. As Cindy says, “You have to show up every day and do the work.” But if you do, the world is yours for the taking. Go get ’em, ladies!
QUITE THE QUOTE
Something tells me Cindy Whitehead would agree with this quote from Miley Cyrus, who said:
“Pink isn’t just a color; it’s an attitude!”
This is Melinda Garvey signing off until next time. Remember, ladies, empowered women empower other women. Share On the Dot so more women can have a voice. Thanks for getting ready with us.
To learn more about our conversation, check us out at OnTheDotWoman.com and talk to us @OnTheDotWoman on Twitter and Instagram. We’d love to hear your voice.