Year 1999
- Named by Lifetime Television the most outstanding woman in business in the 20th century, based on year-long online voting.
Year 1998
- Dedicated the Mary Kay Ash Cancer Research Institute at St. Paul Medical Center, Dallas
Year 1996
- Included in the book Forbes Greatest Business Stories of All Time as one of 20 and the only woman business leader profiled
- Awarded an “EPAcres” certificate of recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Lights Program for its accomplishment of preventing pollution equivalent to planting 100 acres of trees through the use of energy-efficient lighting
- Awarded a certificate of recognition from the City of Dallas (for July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995) for its efforts in helping ensure safe drinking water
Year 1995
- Released third book, You Can Have It All, which achieved best-seller status within first week of sales
- National Association of Women Business Owners 1995 Pathfinder Award
- Awarded a certificate of recognition from the City of Dallas (for July 1, 1993 through June 30, 1994) for its efforts in helping ensure safe drinking water
Year 1994
- Received Honorable Mention Award for Awareness and Achievement from the Board of Sponsors of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Awarded a certificate of recognition from the City of Dallas (for July 1, 1992 through June 30, 1993) for its efforts in helping ensure safe drinking water
Year 1993
- Dedicated the Mary Kay Museum, a 3,000-square-foot tribute to 30 years of direct selling success
- Dedicated the Mary Kay Ash Center for Cancer Immunotherapy Research at St. Paul Medical Center, Dallas
- Dedicated the Mary Kay Ash/St. Paul Medical Center Mobile Cancer Screening Unit, Dallas
- First female recipient of the Kupfer Distinguished Executive Award, Texas A&M University
- Dallas Mother of the Year Award, Dallas Can! Academy
- Outstanding Texas Citizen Award, Texas Exchange Clubs
Year 1992
- Living Legend Award, Direct Selling Education Foundation
Year 1991
- Outstanding Woman of the Year, Les Femmes du Monde
Year 1990
- Outstanding Business Leader Award, Northwood Institute
- National Family Business Award, Baylor University
- Women of Achievement Award, General Federation of Women's Clubs
- Business Leader of the '90s Award, Association of Woman Business Owners
- Individual Komen Award for Philanthropy, Komen Foundation for the Advancement of Breast Cancer Research
Year 1989
- Sovereign Fund Award
- First Annual National Sales Hall of Fame Award
- Circle of Honor Award, Direct Selling Education Foundation
- Honorary chairperson yearlong Texas Breast Screening Project
- Featured in "Great American Entrepreneur" series at the Smithsonian Institute
Year 1987
- Christian Excellence Award in Business, International Association of Women in Leadership
- Churchwoman of the Year Award, Religious Heritage of America
Year 1986
- Woman of the Year, Crystal Cathedral Christian Executive Women
- Distinguished Woman Award, Northwood Institute
- Honored by President Reagan as one of the women entrepreneurs featured in the National Federation of Independent Businesses Report
Year 1985
- Outstanding Women in Business in Dallas Award, The Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Year 1984
- Featured in the book The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America
- Women's Award of Achievement, Women's City Club of Cleveland, Ohio
- Mary Kay on People Management published by Warner Books; featured on The New York Times best seller list for 11 weeks
Year 1983
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Featured as one of the "100 Most Important Women in America" by Ladies Home Journal
Year 1982
- Distinguished Business Leadership Award, University of Texas at Arlington College of Business Administration and Advisory Council
- Golden Achievement Award from Incentive Manufacturers Representatives Association
Year 1981
- Business Award for Excellence in Community Service, Dallas Historical Society
- Free Enterprise Award, San Fernando Valley Business and Professional Association and the Free Enterprise Award Committee
- Mary Kay by Mary Kay, published by Harper and Row
Year 1980
- Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement
Year 1979
- Profiled on "60 Minutes"
- Horatio Alger Distinguished American Citizen Award, Horatio Alger Association
- Cosmetic Career Woman of the Year Award
- Dale Carnegie Leadership Award