About Us

In November 1941, a group of beauticians met in Norfolk, Virginia, and organized an organization in the Tidewater area. The group consisted of school owners, salon owners, and beauticians.  Officers elected president, Mabel Carter of Norfolk, Sec. Candis Darden of Suffolk, financial secretary Elizabeth E. Lassiter of Norfolk, and treasurer Bretie Henderson of Newport News’ board of directors were elected, and committees were appointed.

The meetings rotated from Suffolk, Portsmouth and Newport News and back to Norfolk.  At the Norfolk meeting, the association was named the “Tidewater Beauticians Association.” The president also suggested at this meeting that the organization should become a state association. A committee visited Richmond and secured their membership to help build a state association. The association was invited back to Richmond to have their state conference at the state capital. At the conference, the name was changed to ''Negro Beauticians of this State of Virginia, Inc.''

The charter was presented to the organization and Newport News in June 1943 by the late attorney Jay Byron Hopkins of Richmond, Virginia. At the invitation of Pauline Walker of Portsmouth, the association became a member of the National Beauty Culturist’s League, Inc. Maude Gadsen of New York, chairperson of the beautician’s volunteer corps (BVCs), visited the meeting in Portsmouth and organized the BVC. October 1944, during World War II, they made many contributions as volunteers. They worked with the Red Cross, trained and helped with the first aid classes, brought and sold bonds and stamps, and served any USO services.

In 1947, Lucy B. Jones of Danville began the annual pageants. The Norfolk locals claimed the trophy three consecutive times, with Elizabeth Lassiter, Gertrude Moffet, and Effie Mizell leading the pageants as chairpersons. The president at that time was Mabel Jackson.

The Trail Blazers of Beauty Culture were honored at the Hampton meeting in 1950. Mrs. Sarah Ward of Gloucester won a certificate of merit for outstanding work in a community. Adolph's Beauty Products Company presented in association with a beautiful silver floating trophy for the local doing the most outstanding work for the advancement of beauty culture. The winners were Norfolk, South Hill, and Danville. The president at that time, Ruth T. Valentine, introduced the idea of the Institute of Cosmetology to the association. The first institute was held in Williamsburg, Virginia, with 21 students in attendance. The first graduation was held in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1952, with six students completing the course. In September 1959, President Emeritus Florence H. Bland of Petersburg, Virginia, purchased a home and lot at 6615 Palem Rd. Mrs. Bland served faithfully from 1985 to 2002, completing a 17-year term of service.

On Tuesday, April 2002, in Portsmouth, Virginia, another chapter in our history was written with the election of this sixth president, Dr. Regina C. Lundy of Suffolk, Virginia. If we believe the campaign slogan ''God Our Leader Business Our Priority and Membership Our Goal,'' we will collectively make this organization what the trailblazers had envisioned.

September 2010 began a new administration with a seventh president, Dr. A. LaVerne Canada. At the 2011 National Convention, Dr. Canada was nominated to serve on the nominating committee for the 2012 election of officers for Theta New Sigma national sorority. Dr. Richard T. Newman was nominated to serve on the nominating committee for the 2012 election of officers for the National Beauty Culturist’s League, Inc.. In 2013, she came full circle, being the first President to have two chapters in VA: Hampton and Fredericksburg, both having the most members under age 40.  National President Katie Catalon extended to Dr. Canada the following quote: "As the Va. State President, you have exhibited the love that many may seek, and may never find, have the heart that holds the language of love, sacrificing to substain the foundation of the legacy inherited from the great pioneers left to you to continue the quest for excellence in the beauty profession.