When Lydia O’Leary looked in the mirror, she only saw imperfection. The large red birthmark that covered her face made life unbearable. Her classmates teased her and despite going to college (a rarity for a woman in the early 1900s), Lydia couldn’t get a job at the counter in a department store. Instead, the company hid her away in the back to paint cards and such.
It was hidden away in that back room that Lydia discovered how she could cover her birthmark. Using drug store items and the help of a chemist, she invented the perfect concealer, dubbed Covermark. When she applied for a patent, Lydia faced rejection but fought her way to the Court of Appeals in her state. When 8 judges again turned her down, Lydia excused herself to the restroom and took off her Covermark concealer revealing her birthmark. Upon re-entering the courtroom, the judges were stunned. A patent was soon granted and to date, Lydia O’Leary is the only person to receive one for a cosmetic product.
Let Lydia O’Leary be your inspiration this month and put your best foot (or face) forward when tackling challenges.
To learn more about Lydia and Covermark, visit the Covermark website.
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