13abc.com: Breaking News, Weather and Sports13abc salutes Gladys Herron

13abc salutes Gladys Herron

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13abc.com Kristian Brown - email

She paved the way for African American business women who wanted to earn a living to help their families and later in life, she was a champion for senior citizens.

Her story is just one of the many featured at The African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio.

Tonight in honor of Black History Month, we take a look back at the life of Gladys Herron.

Gladys Herron founded the first black cosmetology school here in the city of Toledo.

Her dream was to create opportunities for African American women.

Robert Smith from the African American Legacy Project tells 13abc, "She breathed life into a community, she taught people about possibility, she worked and demonstrated excellence throughout her life."

In her early years, Herron was an elevator operator at Lasalle's department store in downtown Toledo. It was a prestigious job for a woman of color.

Smith tells 13abc, "the thing that I remember about her was her posture...her carriage ...her pride that she exuded all the time...she was a lady."

Herron worked tirelessly through the Toledo colored girls working home association to help other black girls succeed in business.

The organization's business seal is now in the possession of the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio.

Smith tells 13abc, "The one thing that is most impressive to me, not just the stamp but she was very particular about doing business, this book called Roberts Rules of order, she kept with her at all times.

Herron became the President of the Ohio Association of Beauticians and the Toledo Business Women's Club.

She received several awards for her impact on the lives of African Americans in Northwest Ohio.

"There's so many barbers and beauticians that owe their beginning to her, she helped to stimulate an economy, she helped people get into business."

After Herron retired, she then became an activist for seniors.
 
"She just gave so much of her time, she was a founding member of the J Frank Troy Senior Center, the NAACP, The Colored Girls Working Home.If there is someone who represents the true spirit of the community it's miss Gladys Herron"

Herron died in 2001 at the age of 87.

The African American Legacy Project is located on Upton avenue.

If you'd like donate to the AALP or book a tour call 419-720-4369 or visit http://africanamericanlegacy.org.

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