Photo of Marjorie Stewart Joyner

Marjorie Stewart Joyner

1896 - 1994
Cosmetic Chemistry; Entrepreneur
USA USA

Personal Information

Born: 1896

Died: 1994

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: Black

Education

Chicago Musical College, Certificate for Dramatic Arts & Expression 1914; A.B.Molar Beauty & Culture School 1916; Bethune-Cookman University BA Psychology 1973

Professional Life

Field of Study: Cosmetic Chemistry; Entrepreneur

Institution/Corporation: Bethune-Cookman University; Alpha Chi Pi Omega Sorority & Fraternity; United Beauty School Owners & Teachers Association

Degrees & Memberships: none

Awards & Achievements

Awards: 1987, Smithsonian opened an exhibit featuring her inventions & a replica of her first beauty salon; 2023, National Inventors Hall of Fame

Achievements: Invented Permanent Wave Machine & Scalp Protector; was the national supervisor for Madam C.J.Walker Manufacturing Company; rights to her patents were assigned to Walker Company which received all royalties; director of Chicago Defender s Charity Network; for 60 years organized & directed the annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago

1st African-American female to create & patent a permanent hair-wave machine

Was an instructor & executive for Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing company after the death of Madame Walker

Helped write the 1st cosmetology laws in Illinois

With Mary Bethune McLeod founded United Beauty School Owners & Teachers Association in 1945

1st African-American graduate of A.B. Molar Beauty School (1916)

Received her high school diploma in 1939 & a BA in Psychology from Bethune-Cookman College at age 77

1987, the Smithsonian Institute opened an exhibit in D.C. featuring her permanent wave machine & a replica of her original salon

Held 2 patents