As part of the City of Thomasville’s celebration of Black History Month, we’d like to announce our next unsung community hero…Dr. Gertrude Horne. Dr. Horne was a trained cosmetologist and the owner/operator of LaCharme Beauty School located on Railroad Avenue. LaCharme was the first beauty school to be established in Thomasville. Dr. Horne received her Bachelor of Science degree from State Rite Beauty School in Tallahassee, FL and her Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Cosmetology from the National Beauty Institute of Cosmetology.
Andre’ Hadley Marria is Dr. Horne’s great niece- though she was more like a beloved granddaughter than a niece. She recalls Dr. Horne’s home and beauty school being the center of the Black cultural community. Morria says that Dr. Horne was quite the disciplinarian, not only at home but at her Beauty School as well. She was very particular about how her students dressed and expected all of them to bring their own equipment to class and to maintain that equipment to the highest standards.
Dr. Horne served in all capacities of the Beauty Cultural League on the local, state and national levels. Marria recalls the Beauty Cultural League having fashion shows at The Ritz Theater on West Jackson St.
In addition to the Beauty Cultural League, Dr. Horne was also a member of the American Beauty Chapter 214 EOS, the Business and Civic League, Kelly Rose Temple #1005 and NAACP.
Check back on Monday to learn more about this amazing woman and how her “Power of One” made a lasting impact on our community.