Beverly Mascoll facts for kids

Beverly Mascoll (born Beverly Ashe, 1941-2001) was an amazing Canadian businesswoman. She was also a great fundraiser and a strong community leader. She even became a member of the Order of Canada, which is a very special honor.

Beverly Mascoll's Early Life and First Job

Beverly Ashe was born on October 29, 1941. Her hometown was Fall River, Nova Scotia. Her parents were Arthur and Gwendolyn Ashe.

When Beverly was a teenager, her family moved. They went to Toronto in the early 1950s.

After finishing high school, Beverly got a job. She worked as a receptionist. This was at a company called Toronto Barber and Beauty Supply. In just six months, she became an assistant to the company's president.

While working there, she noticed something important. There were not many hair-care products for Black people. She saw a big chance to start a new business.

In 1964, she married Emerson Mascoll. He was also from Nova Scotia. Their son, Eldon Mascoll, was born in 1970.

Starting Mascoll Beauty Supply Ltd.

Beverly Mascoll started her own company in 1970. It was called Mascoll Beauty Supply Ltd. She began with only $700.

At first, she sold products from her truck and home. Then, she flew to Chicago. She wanted to convince a big company there. This was Johnson Products, a major beauty product maker. She asked them to let her be their only Canadian distributor. They agreed!

By 1971, Mascoll Beauty Supply was very successful. It was the top distributor of Black beauty products in Canada. Her company grew into a multi-million dollar business. It became a huge part of the beauty supply world.

Her company had many retail stores. They also made and sold products all over Canada. In the 1980s, the business grew even more. It started offering beauty shows and hair care lessons. In 1984, Mascoll held the first Black beauty products trade show in Canada.

By 1998, Mascoll's company sold 3,000 different beauty products. Her stores became important places for new Black-Canadian immigrants. The stores helped them feel welcome and proud in their new country.

Helping the Community and Learning More

Beverly Mascoll was very active in her community. She worked with many groups.

She helped the Harry Jerome Scholarship Fund. This fund gives awards to successful Black-Canadians. She also supported Camp Jumoke. This camp is for children with Sickle Cell Anemia. Mascoll was also involved with the Ontario Black History Society.

Beverly also worked hard to raise money. She helped create the first Black Canadian Studies program. This was at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. In 1996, she started her own group. It was called the Beverly Mascoll Community Foundation. It helps young people, women, and people of color.

Learning was also very important to Beverly. She loved teaching her customers. She organized special events and lessons for them.

Beverly also loved learning herself. She could not afford university after high school. But at age 55, she went back to school! She studied Women's Studies at York University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000.

Awards and Special Achievements

Beverly Mascoll received many awards for her hard work:

• She got the Governor General's Commemorative Medal.
• She won the YMCA Women of Distinction Award for Entrepreneurship in 1993.
• She received the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Award in 1995.
• She also won the Harry Jerome Award for Achievement in Business.

Beverly also held important roles:

• She helped lead fundraising for the James Robinson Johnston Chair. This is a special program for Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University.
• She was the Vice-president of the Canadian Club of Toronto.
• She was a trustee for the Harry Jerome Scholarship fund.
• She was a director for the Ontario Science Centre.

In 1999, Ryerson University gave Beverly Mascoll a special honor. She received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Today, there is a scholarship named after her. It is called the Beverly Mascoll Award. This scholarship helps Black female students. It is for those studying at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. Beverly's son, Eldon Mascoll, gave out the first award in 2019.

Beverly Mascoll passed away in 2001. She was 59 years old. She was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.