Vera Ross

Birth: November 11, 1901 in Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee
Died: January 21, 2003, in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (using the name of Vera A Anderson Pittman Thomas)
Career as a Beautician: Started Kurlie Kue Beauty Shop in 1943 at 830 S. 9th Street. The shop moved to 404 S. 4th Street in 1945.
Community Engagement: She was an active member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church. She opened her home to meetings of the National Association of Colored Girls (NACG) and the Royal Queens Club. She was the secretary of the Sojourner Truth Club. 

Velma L. Alderman (nee Walker)

Birth: She was born on February 18, 1929.
Education: She graduated from The Madame C.J. Walker Beauty School in April 1947. 
Career as a Beautician: She did her apprenticeship at Vera’s Kurly Kue. She then went on to do hair in other peoples’ homes. In 1955, she opened her own shop at her home on South 11th Street until 1970.

Ella Kelly

Birth: March 12, 1906
Death: March 06, 2010
Career as a Beautician: She operated Betella Beauty Shoppe at 43 N.W. J Street, out of her home with Phyllis Mayberry. She started the shop with her daughter, Betty, in 1950. After being in business for 34 years, she retired in 1984.

Phyllis Mayberry

Birth: 
Education: Completed classes in precision cutting, styling, and blow drying. Specialized in carefree curl, jhir mock, luster curl, perms, and hair relaxing. Attended class to qualify her to do the TCB curl. Attended the Midwest Hair Expo in Chicago, where she went further into the field of cosmetology.
Career as a Beautician: She operated Betella Beauty Shoppe at 43 N.W. J Street in the home of Ella Kelly and did her apprenticeship from there.

Freda Lorraine Williams 

Birth: July 2nd, 1933 in Richmond, Indiana
Died: January 15, 2019
Career as a Beautician: She owned William’s Beauty Salon at 909 North I Street.

Betty Louise Williams 

Birth: July 16, 1959 (Richmond, Indiana)
Died: December 4, 2018
Education: Richmond Community School and Ivy Tech
Betty worked for the Arc of Indiana, where she spent many hours traveling and serving. A scholarship program has been set up in her name for those desiring to attend school in Betty Louise Williams’s name.
Career as a Beautician: She worked as a receptionist at William’s Beauty Salon at 909 North I Street.

Donna Mack

Birth: Around 1963
Career as a Beautician: After graduating high school in 1981, she began working at Wright’s Barber Shop. She then started her own business, “Donna’s Shades of Mahogany.” She wanted the name to reflect the fact that “African Americans are born in all different shades of mahogany.” In 1993, she moved her shop from the intersection of 9th and Main Street to its current location at 822 E. Main Street. She also provides her services for theater productions.
Awards: In 2010, 2011, and 2012, her shop won “Best Hair Design” from the Richmond Civic Theater. 
Community Engagement: She is very involved in her church. She is on the Stewardship of Finance and Apartments Committee and is passionate about feeding people in her community.