Ruth Rowland
Reed

Ruth Rowland Reed was born on April 15, 1917, in Tennessee. She moved to Harrisburg as a child and attended West Virginia State College. After college, she returned to Harrisburg to provide education and training in beauty culture for young African American women. At age 24, she opened The Rowland School of Beauty Culture, in 1941. She encouraged the development of young girls’ practice in beauty skills with modern equipment.

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Reed was active in religious and civic organizations in Harrisburg, serving as treasurer of the Harrisburg NAACP branch, organizer of the Harrisburg Branch of National Negro Business and Professional Womens Club Inc, and more. She died on June 11, 1958. Ruth Rowland Reed was a young black entrepreneur who devoted her life to the betterment of others.