As a child, I recall attending the Annie Malone Parade in St. Louis in the 1950's. Entering a tall building that was a beehive of activity, I saw a beautiful woman walking down the hall authoritatively while eating a sandwich. I asked her where could I get a sandwich? She tore hers in half, shared it with me, and kept on smoothly stepping. It was good!
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August 9, 1869 - Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone, inventor, businesswoman and philanthropist, was born in Metropolis, Illinois but raised in Peoria, Illinois. Based on her interest in chemistry and hair care, Malone developed a chemical to straighten hair without causing damage to the hair or scalp which she named Wonderful Hair Grower. In 1902, Malone moved to St. Louis, Missouri where in 1904 she opened her first shop. She also launched an advertising campaign in the Black press, toured the South, and recruited women to sell her products. One of the selling agents she trained was Sarah Breedlove better known as Madam C. J. Walker. By 1914, Malone was worth more than a million dollars and built a five-story multipurpose facility named Poro College. Poro College employed more than 200 people. Malone donated thousands of dollars to the local Black YMCA, Howard University College of Medicine, and the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home where she served as president from 1919 to 1943. The home, which continues to operate, was later renamed the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center. In 1927, she moved her business to Chicago, Illinois where she bought a an entire city block. Malone died May 10, 1957.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Annie Malone and Me
As a child, I recall attending the Annie Malone Parade in St. Louis in the 1950's. Entering a tall building that was a beehive of activity, I saw a beautiful woman walking down the hall authoritatively while eating a sandwich. I asked her where could I get a sandwich? She tore hers in half, shared it with me, and kept on smoothly stepping. It was good!
Please like and share
August 9, 1869 - Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone, inventor, businesswoman and philanthropist, was born in Metropolis, Illinois but raised in Peoria, Illinois. Based on her interest in chemistry and hair care, Malone developed a chemical to straighten hair without causing damage to the hair or scalp which she named Wonderful Hair Grower. In 1902, Malone moved to St. Louis, Missouri where in 1904 she opened her first shop. She also launched an advertising campaign in the Black press, toured the South, and recruited women to sell her products. One of the selling agents she trained was Sarah Breedlove better known as Madam C. J. Walker. By 1914, Malone was worth more than a million dollars and built a five-story multipurpose facility named Poro College. Poro College employed more than 200 people. Malone donated thousands of dollars to the local Black YMCA, Howard University College of Medicine, and the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home where she served as president from 1919 to 1943. The home, which continues to operate, was later renamed the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center. In 1927, she moved her business to Chicago, Illinois where she bought a an entire city block. Malone died May 10, 1957.
