SPRING 2021 $1M GIFT


HONORS COSMETICS TRAILBLAZER


IDA CRAWFORD STEWART


A trendsetter in empowering women, Ida Crawford Stewart ’43 didn’t simply want women to look good, but also to feel good, as they discovered their strengths.


Stewart worked in the cosmetics industry in New York City for more than two decades. She joined Es- tée Lauder, Inc., in 1961 and witnessed the company emerge as a worldwide leader in the luxury makeup, skin care, fragrance and hair care product market.


Stewart was vice president of merchandising for the international cosmetics company and in that role helped with product launches at retailers throughout the United States. She served also as special assistant to, and personal representative of, the company’s late founder, Estée Lauder.


In recognition of Stewart and her many contributions to the company, Leonard A. Lauder, Estée’s elder son and chairman emeritus of what is now The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., recently made a personal donation of $1 million to Winthrop.


Remarked Lauder: “My mother loved Ida, and I love Ida, and this endowment is a tribute to her and to her love of the arts, something we share. She truly reflects the ideals of lifelong learning in her deep commitment to the success of Winthrop and future generations of students.”


$1M GIFT HONORS COSMETICS TRAILBLAZER IDA CRAWFORD STEWART


Stewart, who relocated from New York City to her home state of South Carolina in 2019, was shocked by the generous gift in her honor. “It took several sec- onds for it to sink in, so I guess you could say my first reaction was silence. But as soon as I processed it, I was overwhelmed and deeply grateful. I always be- lieved my success in life — and my wonderful career with Estée Lauder — had much to do with my time at Winthrop,” Stewart said. “To have an endowment in my honor from Leonard Lauder to the college I love is more than I ever imagined.”


Winthrop officials said the gift will create several learn- ing opportunities for students.


Winthrop Interim President George Hynd called it a game changer for the College of Visual and Per- forming Arts (CVPA). “Students look to Ida Crawford Stewart as a wonderful role model who was ahead of her time, serving as a trendsetter and teacher in the cosmetics industry. This gift will enable the college to reach new heights by expanding its offerings and scholarships for the next generation of Winthrop stu- dents.”


CVPA Dean Jeff Bellantoni echoed Hynd’s appreci- ation: “I am enormously grateful for the generosity of Leonard Lauder’s extraordinary gift, which comes at a time when support for the arts is as critical as ever,” he said. “This endowment will benefit students and faculty in the arts through scholarships and faculty enrichment and will allow us to fund creative initiatives on campus and in the broader community.”


Born and raised in Clinton, Stewart graduated from then-Winthrop College with a B.A. in art. She taught art to sixth graders before returning to Winthrop as art supervisor and later as alumni director. She earned a master’s degree in health education from the Uni- versity of Maryland and worked there as an assistant professor of health education. She was employed at Bristol-Myers Company as an educational director and at Coty as a merchandising coordinator before joining Estée Lauder.


Known for wearing bright colors and striking hats, Stewart became a keynote speaker following her re- tirement from Estée Lauder and shared stories of her travels around the world for the company. She blend- ed wit, wisdom and warmth into positive messages to uplift women and to promote higher education. The Palmetto State native has been given keys to several U.S. cities — Raleigh, Peoria, Mobile, Florence, Char- lotte and Vidalia — and to Birmingham, England.


Stewart’s achievements landed her in the Who’s Who in Worldwide Business and Industry, Who’s Who in Education and Who’s Who in the East. She was a member of Fashion Group, Advertising Women of New York and the American Association of Univer- sity Women.


The recent gift in her honor is a fitting tribute to a woman who inspired so many throughout her career and whose significant contributions helped build a cosmetics empire.


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