The Silver Ribbon Campaign for the Brain was founded in 1993 by Jean Liechty of Newport Beach, Calif.  Advocates for HIV/AIDS had experienced tremendous success promoting public support and funding for research, and reducing stigma for this terrible disease using the Red Ribbon.  Recognizing that creating an awareness symbol for brain disorders and disabilities would likely have a similar result, the Silver Ribbon was conceived.  Founding members initially wore and distributed Silver Ribbons made from gift-wrapping ribbon. By 1997, the founding committee began selling metallic pins instead of wearing these folded-over ribbons.

In September 1999, the United States Department of Commerce, Trademark and Patent Office issued our trademark, establishing the Silver Ribbon as the official symbol for "PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR SUPPORT OF PEOPLE WITH BRAIN DISORDERS AND DISABILITIES".  The demand for Silver Ribbons became so great that by 1999, NARSAD Artworks, a mostly volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded by Hal and Patsy Hollister in 1990, began distributing pins and additional Silver Ribbon products on behalf of the Silver Ribbon Founding Committee.

Also in 1999, the web site www.SilverRibbon.org was created, and a drive for a Silver Ribbon Brain Disorder and Disability Awareness First Class Postage Stamp was initiated. A support letter was posted on the web site to print, sign, and send. Over 100,000 letters have been received by the United States Postal Service to date, many from members of Congress, Governors, and Administrators.  Silver Ribbon Ambassador Brian Kelly, of Orland Park, Ill., has collected over 42,000 letters of support, and has visited Washington, D.C. to lobby for the stamp, and his father, Mick Kelly, is Chairman of the Stamp drive.

By 2000, the Silver Ribbon Campaign for the Brain had become an international endeavor and the Silver Ribbon is now seen in Canada, China, India, Japan, Mexico, and Singapore. Then, in 2002, a great deal of publicity was received when Ron Howard and associates wore the Silver Ribbon as they accepted Oscars for “A Beautiful Mind”.

In 2004, the Hollisters assumed leadership of the Silver Ribbon Campaign for the Brain, managing it through NARSAD Artworks. At that time, a new moniker was established, “Silver Ribbon Coalition”, to represent the combined interest of all those who have a brain disorder or disability. To date, the Coalition is represented by advocates for anxiety disorders, autism, brain cancer, brain injuries, depressive disorders, mental health, Parkinson's disorder, OCD, and psychotic disorders. The expectation is that the Coalition will grow to include representative individuals and organizations for all brain disorders and disabilities.

The Silver Ribbon is the acknowledged symbol throughout the world for promoting public awareness of the need for support of people with brain disorders and disabilities. As the Silver Ribbon becomes more and more visible, public support for research and services for those who have a brain disorder or disability will occur, accompanied by a reduction in stigma for those affected.