Alexandra Penney

Alexandra Penney is an American artist, journalist and author.

Biography

She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Greek-American parents. Graduate of Smith College, BA Philosophy, MA degree in Studio Art and Criticism, Hunter. Upon graduation, Penney started her career as a painter with several group shows in New York to her credit. Pressing financial needs as a single mother propelled her into journalism. Her first job was as assistant editor at Vogue, which she left to complete her master's degree in art. She continued to paint and work as a freelancer for various magazines and wrote a weekly column at the New York Times Magazine. She was the author of the best-seller, How to Make Love to a Man, which was on The New York Times best-seller list for over a year. She returned to Conde Nast as editor of Self, where she conceived and created the Pink Ribbon. With the help of Self editors and the support of her friend and breast cancer survivor, Evelyn Lauder, propelled the ribbon into an international symbol. During the years she was an author and journalist, Penney continued to paint small-scale work. She returned full-time to art the week after 9/11.