MSS 0181 Elvira Pickens Collection
Content Description
The Elvira Pickens Collection document her career as a hairstylist in Houston, Texas from 1956 through 2005 with most of the materials from the late 1950s to mid-1970s. Photographs, 30 total, depict activities of the International Hair Weevers Association, various Hair Weeve conventions and portraits of Mrs. Pickens. It also contains a history of the Lone Star Hair-Weev Center, news clippings, contracts, Hair Weeve License, product brochure, a letter from the Texas Cosmetology Board, a funeral program, and an award.
Dates
- 1956-2005
- Majority of material found in 1956-1975
Creator
- Pickens, Elvira, 1913-2005 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Elvira Pickens Collection must be obtained from the African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Elvira Pickens was an entrepreneur and cosmetologist and was one of the first to introduce the pole method of hair weave to the state Texas.
Elvira was born June 21, 1913 to Major Dixion and Henrietta Phelps. Educated in the Houston Independent school district, she graduated from Prairie View College and trained as a beautician and instructor at Franklin Beauty School and Scotts Beauty College in New Jersey. She also attended Pan American Academy of Beauty where she received a Master Artist Instructor License. From July 2 to July 27, 1956 Elvira Pickens went to Cleveland Ohio to learn hair weaving at Hair Weev Inc. After receiving her license, she returned home, where she introduced the pole method of hair weaving to Texas. After receiving her instructors license to teach hair weaving and her first student was Doris Hayes in 1958 and the second was Vivian Hayes in 1959. She opened Pickens Hair Weave Center, later called the Lone Star HairWeev Center, offering a five day training program for licensed beauticians to learn the hair weaving technique.
Mrs. Pickens was the first Vice president of the National Hair Wave Convention, the State supervisor and Regional Director. Elvira Pickens died in 2005
Extent
.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged by format and subject.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Charles Cunningham
Processing Information
Processed by Sheena Wilson, March 2021
- African American beauty operators -- United States Subject Source: Lcnaf
- Cosmetology teachers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Hairweaving Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Lone Star Hair-Weev Center
- Pickens, Elvira, 1913-2005
- Title
- MSS 0181 Elvira Pickens Collection
- Subtitle
- An inventory of records at the African American Library at the Gregory School
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sheena Wilson
- Date
- March 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the African American History Research Center Repository
