Helping with style
Local stylists shape up evacuees for free
By Meliqueica Meadows
Of the St. Louis American
St. Louis has seen an influx of as many as 8,000 new residents who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. As they begin to rebuild their lives, one woman thought a great place to start would be with a free hair styling.
It might seem trivial to some, but Shirley Love thought that with fresh haircuts and styles, new residents would be able to boost their confidence in spite of their tremendous loss.
Many have lost everything they own, including loved ones in some cases. But for a few hours Monday afternoon, they were able to cast those thoughts aside and accept some pampering.
Twenty-year-old Kentria Woolridge, who fled New Orleans with her 1-year-old son and other family members, left Elaine Steven Beauty College with a sleek new ‘do.
“We miss home, but everyone has been so nice here,” Woolridge said. “They treat us like we’re at home.”
Woolridge was just one of the dozens of new residents welcomed into Elaine Steven Beauty College, 10420 W. Florissant, on Monday. Stylist Shirley Love organized the event to welcome new residents from the Gulf Coast to the city.
“I wanted to make the evacuees feel good and feel welcome,” Love said. “I hope they feel good and I want them to know that people want to help them and spend time with them.”
It wasn’t hard for Love to find support in the community. Elaine Steven owner Gina Kinion and her mother Jean Lake, who are originally from New Orleans, opened their facility for the event.
“We’ve been flooded out many times,” Lake said. “We wanted to help, so we offered our place and it all came together.”
Cosmetology students and professional stylists volunteered their time and services, and other companies followed suit. SINA International Corporation donated $15,000 worth of products and aprons for stylists, and Dudley donated $1,000 worth of hair-care products. Even the local Krispy Kreme chipped in with dozens of glazed donuts.
“Katrina survivors are our top priority,” SINA International Corp. Vice President Sean D. Kim said. “Most of our customers are African-American, and when they are in jeopardy we have to help.”
Love is working on a second event, and Kim said his company would participate. The company also has a hair show November 6 at the Casa Loma Ballroom, 3354 Iowa Avenue, and is hoping to raise money for Katrina victims. So far, they have raised $6,000 and plan to give cash donations to several families at the event.
“It starts with inner beauty,” Corvonne Watt, who works for Dudley, said. “If you have your hair done, you feel better. I want them to feel better and feel pretty. They will soon be looking for jobs and enrolling in new schools. This is preparation for their new lives in St. Louis.”
