Annie Turnbo Malone

Meet Annie  

        Born August 9, 1989, to former slaves Robert and Isabella Turnbo. Unfortunately, both of her parents died when she was young, but she was either raised by her older sister or Aunt. (I read multiple sources about her, and this part was reported differently each time, so I decided to just say both because they both helped in a way to raise her into the woman she became.) As she grew up, she would eventually get sick and would have to drop out of school. This was not going to slow her down at all. She would continue her studies, especially with chemistry, and with the help of her aunt (an herbalist of her time) she would learn how to mix and formulate different herbal recipes. Thus, igniting the spark inside her that would build an empire for ethnic hair. 

The Wonderful Hair Grower!

        During the late 1800s early 1900s women often used harmful ingredients in their hair. They included heavy oils, lye, potatoes, butter, and even bacon grease. So, Mrs. Malone started experimenting and came up with a product that was not too harsh on the scalp, and it straightened your hair. She would call it Wonderful Hair Grower!

        After inventing this product she would move to St. Louis, Missouri. The year was 1902, just in time for her to get settled in St. Louis and make her products and build her brand before the 1904 World Fair that St. Louis would be hosting. Here is where she would meet a young woman, who was on the search for a hair product that would help grow her hair, named Sarah Breedlove, but we know her as Madam C. J. Walker. (We will discuss her in a later post, so come back and check it out!) She took Madam C. J. Walker under her wings and before long Madam C. J. Walker made her own version of Wonderful Hair Grower. In turn this made Annie furious, and she tried everything in her power to discredit Madam C. J., but regardless of her efforts Madam C. J. still made a name for herself and her brand. 

The End....

        I know what you are thinking, "well this has to be the end of Annie's story", but it's not, that is just part of it. Honestly Annie would go on to create a cosmetology school that specialized in caring for African American hair. This school would be located in St. Louis, Missouri. She also created the Poro System (Poro was taken from West Africa, the term denotes an organization whose aim is to discipline and enhance the body both physically and spiritually.) This system was also taught at the cosmetology school she opened. She was also a very well-respected philanthropist. But even with all the amazing accolades she received, she still was not widely acknowledged in this industry.

LET'S CHANGE THAT 

because she deserves her flowers. Honestly, she should have received them before she passed away. 

            So, Thank You Annie Turnbo Malone for starting something that other women, like yourself, could come into and create a name for themselves. Without your hard work and dedication to spreading the word on not only how to take care of our natural hair but also teaching other when women how to formulate and distribute their talents to the world on natural hair. Because at the end of the day there would be no Madam C. J. Walker or my mentors Vivian Herndon and Sha'Va Porter. So, again Thank You!

As always if you know someone who deserves a shoutout please contact us and let us know. We would love to share the stories of other beauty professionals. Leave a comment down below because they will be read. Also come back and see who we will be discussing next time!

Vintage photo of graduation class with Annie Malone in the center (back row, with glasses) held at Big Bethel AME Church, Atlanta. See church organ pipes in background. Photo: Freeman Institute