This October, as pink ribbons flutter across the world, I’m reminded of an evening that perfectly captured what Breast Cancer Awareness Month stands for — compassion, courage, and care. Earlier this year, on February 14th, the Blume Foundation, founded by Vaishali Dev and co-founded by Marti Nonemaker, hosted a heartfelt and empowering event titled “Boos & Boobs.”
It was an evening that celebrated strength, beauty, and sisterhood — blending laughter with learning, and stories with inspiration. The event featured a deeply moving personal story of survival and strength by Leslie Mouton, a celebrated television news anchor and public speaker, who reminded everyone that awareness is not just about detection, but about the dignity, hope, and humanity that surround the journey of healing.
Too often, women place themselves last — after children, family, career, and community. As leaders, caregivers, and changemakers, we are wired to give. At Blume Foundation, we are redefining leadership: it begins with self-awareness, self-respect, and self-care.
As Lucille Ball once said, “Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line.” And as Rupi Kaur beautifully reminds us, “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.”
These words echo our mission — that empowerment begins within. When a woman honors her own worth, she uplifts everyone around her.
Now, as October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month unfolds, I wear a pink saree — not just as a color of awareness, but as a symbol of continuity. Pink, often seen as soft or delicate, carries a quiet strength of its own. It is the color of compassion, healing, and hope — a hue that unites millions of women and families around the world in shared courage and resilience.
For me, wearing pink is both personal and purposeful. It represents grace under pressure, the tenderness that coexists with tenacity, and the reminder that beauty and bravery often bloom together. The saree, draped in pink, mirrors the strength and poise of every woman who continues to rise — for herself, for her family, and for her community.
Much like the women we serve through Blume Foundation, the color pink reminds us that vulnerability can be powerful, and that taking care of oneself is not selfish — it is essential. It’s my way of reinforcing that the message of February still stands strong today: self-love is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline.
As we continue our journey at Blume Foundation, I invite every woman — and every ally — to join us. Schedule your screening, reach out to a friend, check in with yourself, and remember: your health, your heart, and your happiness matter. Together, let’s lead with beauty, live boldly, and keep the pink spirit alive all year long.
