Marjorie Stewart Joyner (1896–1994) was an African-American entrepreneur, inventor, philanthropist, and activist whose innovations revolutionized the beauty industry. She was the first Black woman to receive a patent for her invention, the Permanent Waving Machine, which transformed the way women styled their hair. Her remarkable career and dedication to education, philanthropy, and uplifting the Black community have left an enduring legacy.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Marjorie Joyner was born on October 24, 1896, in Monterey, Virginia, as the granddaughter of a slave and a slave-owner. In 1912, at the age of 16, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, to pursue a career in cosmetology. She enrolled in the A.B. Molar Beauty School, becoming the first Black woman to graduate in 1916. Following her graduation, she opened her own beauty salon and married podiatrist Robert E. Joyner.
Partnership with Madam C.J. Walker
While working in the beauty industry, Joyner met Madam C.J. Walker, a renowned African-American entrepreneur and businesswoman. Walker was already a prominent figure, having founded a beauty empire that catered to Black women and operated over 200 salons across the United States. After Walker’s death in 1919, Marjorie Joyner became the national supervisor of the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Colleges, overseeing beauty training programs nationwide.
The Permanent Waving Machine
In the 1920s, Black women faced challenges with hair styling, particularly with the time-consuming process of using stove-heated curling irons to straighten tightly curled hair. Marjorie Joyner sought to create a faster, more efficient solution.
The Invention:
- Inspired by observing roasting rods in her kitchen, Joyner imagined a device that could simultaneously straighten and curl hair using heated rollers.
- In 1928, she patented the Permanent Waving Machine, which connected 16 heated rods to an electric cord within a hooded dryer. The device created curls that could last for days, unlike traditional methods that lasted only a day.
- Joyner also patented a scalp protector to make the process less painful for clients.
Impact:
- The device was a success in both Black and White salons, introducing the concept of the “perm” and becoming a staple of hair salons.
- Despite her invention’s popularity, Joyner did not receive royalties or profits from her patents, as they were owned by Madam Walker’s company.
Philanthropy and Activism
Marjorie Joyner dedicated her life to empowering others, especially Black women in the beauty industry and beyond:
- United Beauty School Owners and Teachers Association:
- Co-founded in 1945 with Mary McLeod Bethune to raise professional standards in cosmetology.
- Alpha Chi Pi Omega Sorority and Fraternity:
- Established to promote professionalism and unity among beauticians.
- Fundraising for Black Colleges:
- Joyner tirelessly raised money for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Bethune-Cookman College, where she later earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1973 at the age of 77.
Marjorie Stewart Joyner Legacy and Recognition
Marjorie Joyner passed away on December 7, 1994, at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and service. Her contributions include:
- Pioneering advancements in hair styling that reshaped the beauty industry.
- Empowering Black women through education and professional development.
- Advocating for equality and supporting institutions that uplifted the Black community.
Her life serves as an enduring inspiration, showcasing the power of creativity, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference.
Conclusion
Marjorie Joyner’s story is one of innovation, perseverance, and generosity. From her invention of the Permanent Waving Machine to her work as an educator and philanthropist, she transformed the beauty industry while uplifting those around her. Her remarkable achievements continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs, inventors, and community leaders.
