Annie Malone
Encyclopedia
Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone (August 9, 1869—May 10, 1957) was an African-American businesswoman, inventor and philanthropist
. In the first three decades of the 20th century, she founded and developed a large and prominent commercial and educational enterprise centered around cosmetics
for African-American women.
, where she lived with her eleven siblings until both of their parents had died. She was sent upstate to be raised by her elder sister in Peoria
. While there, Malone took an early interest in hair textures. In the 1890s, she started looking for better methods of hair care for African-American women. Many women used goose fat and heavy oils to straighten
their thick curls, which damaged both scalp and hair.
By the beginning of the 1900s, Annie Malone began to revolutionize hair care methods for all African Americans. She created a variety of hair care treatments, including the first patented hot comb
, which preceded the one popularized by an early employee of hers, Madam C.J. Walker. As early as 1902, she and her assistants sold her unique brand of hair care products door to door. She called it Poro, a West Africa
n name meaning physical and spiritual growth.
By 1917, as United States
entered World War I
, Annie Malone had become so successful that she founded and opened Poro College in St. Louis
. It was the first educational institution in the United States dedicated to the study and teaching of black
cosmetology
. The school employed nearly 200 people. Its curriculum included instructions to train students on personal style to present themselves at work: on walking, talking and style of dress designed to maintain a solid public persona.
By the 1920s, Annie Malone had become a multi-millionaire; she continued to share her great wealth. She donated her money to, and served as president of, the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home. With her help, in 1922 it bought a facility at 2612 Annie Malone Drive (formally Goode Ave.) It continues to serve from the historic Ville neighborhood. Upgraded and expanded, the facility was renamed in her honor as the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center.
In 1930 and entering her 60s, Malone moved her headquarters to Chicago
. She suffered financially from a divorce (her second) and, soon thereafter, by two civil lawsuits, all during the Great Depression
. The lawsuits (for liability to an employee and a St. Louis newspaper) partially crippled her ability to conduct business. In 1943, during the middle of World War II
, she was served a lien by the Internal Revenue Service
. After fighting the lawsuits for eight years, she lost Poro to the government and other creditors, who took control of her business.
Annie Malone, one of the first African-American female entrepreneurs, died of a stroke in Chicago's Provident Hospitalhttp://www.isomedia.com/homes/bhd2/annie_malone.htm at the age of 87.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. In the first three decades of the 20th century, she founded and developed a large and prominent commercial and educational enterprise centered around cosmetics
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
for African-American women.
Biography
Annie Malone was born in Metropolis, IllinoisMetropolis, Illinois
Metropolis is a city located along the Ohio River in Massac County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,482...
, where she lived with her eleven siblings until both of their parents had died. She was sent upstate to be raised by her elder sister in Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
. While there, Malone took an early interest in hair textures. In the 1890s, she started looking for better methods of hair care for African-American women. Many women used goose fat and heavy oils to straighten
Hair straightening
Hair straightening is a hair styling technique which involves the flattening and straightening of hair in order to give it a smooth, streamlined, and 'sleek' appearance. It may be accomplished by using hair irons and hot combs, chemical relaxers, Japanese hair straightening, or Brazilian hair...
their thick curls, which damaged both scalp and hair.
By the beginning of the 1900s, Annie Malone began to revolutionize hair care methods for all African Americans. She created a variety of hair care treatments, including the first patented hot comb
Hot comb
A hot comb is a metal comb that is used to straighten moderate or coarse hair and create a smoother hair texture.-Overview:...
, which preceded the one popularized by an early employee of hers, Madam C.J. Walker. As early as 1902, she and her assistants sold her unique brand of hair care products door to door. She called it Poro, a West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
n name meaning physical and spiritual growth.
By 1917, as United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
entered World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Annie Malone had become so successful that she founded and opened Poro College in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. It was the first educational institution in the United States dedicated to the study and teaching of black
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
cosmetology
Cosmetology
Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....
. The school employed nearly 200 people. Its curriculum included instructions to train students on personal style to present themselves at work: on walking, talking and style of dress designed to maintain a solid public persona.
By the 1920s, Annie Malone had become a multi-millionaire; she continued to share her great wealth. She donated her money to, and served as president of, the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home. With her help, in 1922 it bought a facility at 2612 Annie Malone Drive (formally Goode Ave.) It continues to serve from the historic Ville neighborhood. Upgraded and expanded, the facility was renamed in her honor as the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center.
In 1930 and entering her 60s, Malone moved her headquarters to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. She suffered financially from a divorce (her second) and, soon thereafter, by two civil lawsuits, all during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. The lawsuits (for liability to an employee and a St. Louis newspaper) partially crippled her ability to conduct business. In 1943, during the middle of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, she was served a lien by the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
. After fighting the lawsuits for eight years, she lost Poro to the government and other creditors, who took control of her business.
Annie Malone, one of the first African-American female entrepreneurs, died of a stroke in Chicago's Provident Hospitalhttp://www.isomedia.com/homes/bhd2/annie_malone.htm at the age of 87.
External links
- "Annie Malone", Living St. Louis Story, KETC-9
- Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center