Gloria Grate Giddens Papers, 1944-c. 2006 1965-1967
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Gloria Grate Giddens Papers
- Creator
- Giddens, Gloria Grate, 1925-2006
- Collection Number
- MSS 482
- Extent
- 2 Linear Feet 1 box and 1 o/s folder
- Date
- 1944-c. 2006
- Date
- 1965-1967
- Abstract
- Gloria Grate Giddens owned and operated several beauty salons, shops, and clothing boutiques in Pittsburgh that catered to African American clientele. A businesswoman, model, and well-known community member, Grate promoted the development of beauty services for African Americans in Pittsburgh. The Gloria Grate Giddens Papers include class notes, instruction manuals, brochures, receipts, newspaper clippings, certificates, and programs documenting Giddens' work.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Biographical / Historical
Gloria Grate Giddens was born on August 10, 1925, to Eula P. Shaw and Jessie Wayne Golden in Pittsburgh's Beltzhoover neighborhood. A graduate of Schenley High School, Giddens also attended the Ella-Rene Beauty School, becoming a state-licensed cosmetologist in August 1944. In 1951 she became one of the first Black women to graduate from the Earl Wheeler Finishing and Modeling School. The following year, Giddens graduated as a teacher from the Wilkins School of Cosmetology in Cleveland, Ohio. She later earned a certificate from Duquesne University School of Business in 1965.
Giddens owned two beauty shops, the Golden Salon and Goldie's Beauty Shoppe, located on Centre Avenue. Giddens also developed several "Gloria Grate" beauty and cosmetic products for Black clientele. In addition to these activities, Giddens advised on the proposal to add cosmetology to Pittsburgh Public Schools' curriculums.
Giddens not only operated beauty salons, but she also modeled for noted photographer Charles "Teenie" Harris. Giddens was also an active community member and participated in numerous clubs. As treasurer of the Delightful Insane Club (D. I. Club), she worked with six other members to sponsor affairs whose proceeds went to March of Dimes and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The group helped to integrate numerous establishments. Giddens served as president of Beauty Shop Owners' Association of Pennsylvania and president of the Green Link Golf Club. Giddens was also an active member of the community and the Wesley Center African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Giddens died from cancer in 2006. Her funeral service was at the Wesley Center African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and she was interred at Allegheny Cemetery.
Scope and Contents
The Gloria Grate Giddens Papers are housed in one archival box and one oversized folder. These papers include class notes, instruction manuals, brochures, receipts, newspaper clippings, certificates, and programs that document Giddens' work and accomplishments.The collection includes notes stemming from from Giddens' role as a Charm School teacher in the Pittsburgh Public schools. The notes reflect lessons as outlined in the six Milady Charm instruction manuals.
Receipts, correspondence, and brocuures document the activities of the Golden Salon. Other materials refliect the hair show Giddens organized at Pittsburgh's Hilton Hotel in 1965.
This collection also includes an assortment of personal papers collected by Giddens throughout her life. These papers include a booklet titled Progressive Beauticians and Barbers of Western Pennsylvania, a biography of Giddens, D. I. Club stationery, correspondence from Matthew Kelley, and graduation certificates from Duquesne University and the Wilkins School of Cosmetology.
This collection also contains one oversized folder containing Giddens' Ella-Rene School of Beauty Culture certificate.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Copyright may be retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Marsha V. Lambria in 2008. Archives Accession 2008.0138
Separated Materials
A hair dryer chair, cabinet, hair washing troughs, straightening combs, curling irons, clippers, makeup bottle, and hair spray cans from the Golden Hair Salon were transferred to the Museum Division (Museum Accession No. 2008.33)
Processing Information
Collection processed and inventory created by Sascha Wiessmeyer on May 27, 2008. Finding edited by Bryan Brown on March 4, 2022.
Preferred Citation
Gloria Grate Giddens Papers, 1944-c. 2006 (bulk 1965-1967), MSS 482, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center
Subjects
- Hairdressing -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Hairdressing of African Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Beauty shops -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- African American business enterprises -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- African American businesspeople -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- African American women -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh