Mary Kay Ash

For decades, Mary Kay Ash was often portrayed as a caricature: the woman behind the wheel of a pink Cadillac, with diamond pins and a cosmetics empire. But the Dallas-based entrepreneur started her global brand with a goal of empowering women.

For the past month, North Texans have been sharing the road with pink Cadillacs and downtown Dallas crosswalks have been thick with high heels.The 41st…