Pretty In Pink Boutique Wouldn’t Exist Without Gloria Madry
Today would have been my Mom’s 84th birthday. And while we were celebrating some other birthdays on our staff this week, we took a few minutes to remember my Mom, Gloria Madry, without whom Pretty In Pink wouldn’t exist.
It took me a minute to realize just how long she’s been gone, and it’s impossible for me to imagine what 84-year-old Gloria would actually look like. But I know she’d be all up in what’s happening at Pretty In Pink Boutique. It’s just how she was.
Mom’s life was cut short by breast cancer. My mom’s journey with breast cancer was very different than most of our customers experience today. Today, survival rates are extremely high; in part because women like Gloria back in the ’80s, ’90s, and even ’00s had the courage to participate in trials and experimental treatments. Sadly, my mom couldn’t be saved. But, as a result of her and thousands of brave women like her, millions of lives are now saved that once would have been lost.
So it was heart-warming to share her story with the rest of our team at Pretty In Pink this week as part of our bi-weekly “lunch and learn” training session. And, especially since our team has been growing by leaps and bounds this year, it was great to have the opportunity to remind everyone why we’re here, why we do what we do, and why it’s so personal for me and my family.
October is breast cancer awareness month. And long before PIPB ever existed, it has always been the month we celebrated my Mom’s birthday. For that last 25 or so years, it’s also been a reminder that she’s no longer with us.
We still can’t save every person diagnosed with breast cancer. And despite all our best efforts, we can’t be everything to every breast cancer patient and her or his family. We may never reach our goal of 100% satisfaction and 100% survival. But as I think back to 25 years ago, watching and being part of my Mom’s breast cancer journey and contrasting that with where we are today in early detection, survival and remission rates, and the tools we have to make treatment and life-long remission more successful for every woman and man with breast cancer — it feels good.
I miss my Mom. I’m sad that she missed out on seeing me grow up, meet my husband and my daughters, and all the other milestones in the lives of my brother and me. I’m sad she didn’t get to be GiGi to her granddaughters. But I know she would see what we’re doing with PIPB and smile. She’d be roaming the halls, talking with customers and our team, and she’d be joyous that we’re helping so many people.
That’s why her picture is on the wall at the store. That’s why we dedicate what we do every day to her memory. She was a very special lady, and to think that she has inspired so much gives her life (and death) greater meaning for me.
And it’s just another example of how God takes bad things and turns them to good. God redeemed my mother’s death from breast cancer and turned it into something amazing that’s helped nearly 30,000 people in Middle Tennessee and beyond at a time when they really need it. We’re not perfect, by any means. But we’re inspired to be always improving by Gloria “GG” Madry.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Pamela Madry Ludwig, Founder
Pretty In Pink Boutique
