Joyner, Marjorie Stewart (1896–1994)

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Joyner, Marjorie Stewart (1896–1994)

African-American inventor, entrepreneur, political activist, and philanthropist. Born in Mississippi, 1896; died just after Christmas, 1994; granddau. of a slave; mother worked as maid; m. Robert Joyner (podiatrist).

Began career as a beautician; became an inventor and business executive, and dedicated her life to racial and gender equality in Chicago's black community and throughout US; received a patent for the Joyner Permanent Waving Machine, which involved a group of curling irons hanging from above, with each clip capturing a hank of hair, allowing a full head of curls or waves to be set at once (1928); received a patent for a Scalp Protector to make the "curling" process more comfortable (1929); was vice president of a chain of 200 Madame C.J. Walker beauty colleges; founded United Beauty School Owners and Teachers Association (1940s).

See also Women in World History.