Events › Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop

Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner through images and patents showcasing her remarkable contributions. As a pioneering figure in Chicago's history, Joyner made her mark by opening her first beauty shop and becoming a protégé of Madam C.J. Walker. While Joyner’s philanthropic, educational, and business endeavors took her across the country and abroad, she remained deeply involved in Chicago’s cultural and civic life. 

After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments, drawing inspiration from photos of Marjorie from our collection. 

This class requires registration.  

Learn more in our archives! 

This program is made possible with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

How to Attend
Register by 6:00 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2025. Chicago Public Library cannot collect personal information online from kids 0 to 13. A parent or guardian’s email address must be used to register. As a reminder, school email addresses may block external emails such as those from CPL.

Accessibility
Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Image: Marjorie Stewart Joyner Papers, [Box 48, Folder 429], Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature