She was born in 1915, and died in 1996. Her biography says she was born in Staunton Virginia, but grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. Why though are African American women honoring her? For one, this is Black History Month, and she was one of the first of her circumstance to open a dress shop in this town, 1952, in a one room basement. There were many recollectors at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, one patron wore a coverall purchased 25years ago from Mrs. Brooks dress shop. An interesting history: from North Avenue, to Whitelock Street, Mondawmin Mall, and finally theBelvedere on Chase Street.
Her success came from showing African American women, what to wear when, from size 6 to 20. This came out prominently through her fashion shows. Many of her former models were there, including Carolyn Wainwright, (see video) who began working for Pauline Brooks at 17.
Apart from Mrs. Brooks, the spotlight also shown on African American women who, though not well known, have a large compounded footprint on the American fashion industry, going back to the 1850’s. There was Elizabeth Keckley, who designed clothes for Mary Lincoln, President Abraham Lincoln’s wife. Anne Lowe of New York, who designed the wedding dress, (1953) for Jackie on her marriage to Jack Kennedy, another former President of the United States. Then of course there is Tracy Reese, who is in Michelle Obama’s (First Lady) closet. Did you know that Rosa Parks made a living doing alterations?
Paula Brooks, the only child of Pauline and her husband, is one of many, keeping this “hope” alive. Was fatherless since three months old (father died from kidney disease), and is on a trek of “looking back, to go forward”; “libation” or “sankofa” moment, (she performs a ritual to make her point).
I remember Pauline Brooks, just as I remember the 13th Floor at the Belvedere, or when the Cross Keys Inn was the place for “the” power lunch. Good to see Black History Month, honoring some new and important people, who put attractive paint on the canvas.
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