Eileen Smith (Pink Lady) is the editor of In the Pink. She has an affinity for politics and pinot (but not necessarily in that order), and an irrational fear of the printed word, non-corporate coffee, End Times, cats, single women of a certain age, non-Catholics, Catholics, and making sandwiches. (Her actual official resume is here.)

In the Pink originally got its name from the Texas Capitol, which is made of pink granite, and is referred to by dorks as the “Pink Building.” Although the blog has branched out from state politics to national and international (or “foreign”) coverage, the name has stuck, because I like princesses and unicorns.

Thanks to all the In the Pink guest writers who have come and gone over the years, especially T.J. Shroat (Eileen’s understudy and stunt double), Smooch (social commentator), Tickled Pink (dating columnist), JCBT (the reason we had a lawyer on retainer), Fled the Asylum (Houston bureau chief), The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton (who actually lives in Fort Worth), and intrepid intern MattyD. These are all real names except for T.J. Shroat.

And finally, to the Pink Mafia, a secret society of lovely and talented women who can drink obscene amounts of alcohol and still show up to work in the morning. Most of the time. Approach with caution.

A perennial favorite of politically minded critics and readers, Eileen Smith covers local and national news with barbed-wire zest tempered by self-deprecating humor, endearing her to the snarkiest fans of politics and pop culture.—Best Local Blogger, Austin Chronicle, 2009

Her blog is funny as hell. Let her blow off steam, rant, rave, hurl insults…Irreverent, self-deprecating, but smart as a whip.—Best Blogger and Best Local Political Blog, Austin Chronicle, 2008

In cyberspace, the Pink Lady is a wide-eyed, pinot-swilling, bimbo-ish blogger with a penchant for Starbucks, an addiction to presidential politics and a foul mouth. Alternately self-deprecating and self-aggrandizing, she shamelessly chases after famous politicians, mistrusts all desperate single women, and regularly shaves about eight years off her age.—Karen Brooks, Dallas Morning News

Eileen Smith has charmed the readers of this university city with her smart, humorous ennui. Reminiscent of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, this blogger’s witty slant on national politics speckled with Austin gossip keeps us laughing at our desks.—Best Blogger and Best Local Political Blog, Austin Chronicle, 2007

Politics can get really boring for normal people. Eileen gets that and makes the issues of the day fun. She isn’t Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert…she’s better.—Every Dot Connects

Eileen Smith is the “Wonkette” of Austin.—Governing magazine

[Eileen's] take on current events falls somewhere between The Onion and The Daily Show, with absolutely no one spared her frequently funny jabs.—San Antonio Current