Christiana Carteaux Bannister facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christiana Carteaux Bannister
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Portrait by Edward Mitchell Bannister
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| Born |
Christina Babcock
1819 North Kingstown, Rhode Island
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| Died | 1902 (aged 82–83) |
| Other names | Madame Carteaux |
| Occupation | entrepreneur, hairdresser, and abolitionist |
| Spouse(s) | |
Christiana Carteaux Bannister (born Babcock; 1819–1902) was an American businesswoman. She was a hairdresser and a strong supporter of ending slavery. She lived in New England and was known as Madame Carteaux.
Christiana was married to the famous artist Edward Mitchell Bannister. She helped him financially when he was starting his career. For a long time, people didn't know much about Christiana's achievements. But in recent years, her success and important work have gained new attention.
Contents
Her Life Story
Christiana Carteaux Bannister was born in 1819. Her birthplace was North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Her parents were African American and Narragansett Indian. She was a descendant of enslaved Africans. These ancestors worked on plantations in South County, Rhode Island.
When she was young, Christiana moved to Boston. There, she started working as a wigmaker. She also became a hairdresser.
Her Marriages
In 1846, Christiana was listed in the Boston directory. She was working as a milliner, making hats. Records show she married Desiline Carteaux. He was a clothes dealer and cigar maker. Desiline was thought to be from the Caribbean. Their marriage did not last. They lived in Boston on Beacon Hill. By 1850, they had separated. Christiana then lived with friends in Providence.
In 1853, Christiana met Edward Mitchell Bannister. He applied for a job as a barber in her Boston salon. Christiana and Edward married on June 10, 1857. Edward became a very successful Black artist. This was largely because of Christiana's financial and emotional help. He often said her good eye and business skills were key to his success. In 1869, the Bannisters moved to Providence, Rhode Island. Christiana kept running her hairdressing business. She also continued her important work for social change.
Her Hairdressing Business
Christiana started her career as a wigmaker in Boston. She was known professionally as Madame Carteaux. She was a "Women's Hairdresser and Wigmaker." Christiana was a very successful businesswoman. She even called herself a "hair doctress." She earned money by styling hair and selling her own hair products.
From 1847 to 1871, Christiana had several salons in Boston. These included locations on Cambridge, Boston, and Winter Streets. When she and Edward moved to Providence, she opened another salon there.
Fighting Against Slavery
While in Boston, the Bannisters lived and worked with Lewis Hayden. He was a famous person who fought against slavery. The Bannister family helped Lewis with the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.
Christiana also used her hair salons as meeting places. Both African American and white people who wanted to end slavery met there.
Other Important Work
During the American Civil War, Christiana worked hard for equal pay. She believed Black soldiers should earn the same as white soldiers. In November 1864, she organized a special fair. This fair was sponsored by the Boston Colored Ladies Sanitary Commission. It raised money for African American regiments. These included the 54th and 55th Massachusetts regiments. The 5th Massachusetts Cavalry also benefited. These brave soldiers served for a year and a half without full pay. They refused to accept less than white soldiers.
In Providence, Christiana saw a problem. Many older African American women worked as housekeepers. But when they got too old to work, they often became homeless. So, Christiana founded the Home for Aged Colored Women. This home helped these women. The home later moved and was renamed Bannister House, Inc.
Her Death and Lasting Impact
Christiana Bannister died in January 1903. She passed away with little money. She was laid to rest next to her husband. He had died in January 1901. For many years after her death, she did not get much public notice.
However, over time, people began to recognize her contributions. She was honored for her work in society and Black history. In 2003, Bannister was added to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. In December 2002, a bronze statue of her was placed in the Rhode Island State House. This statue was based on a portrait painted by her husband, Edward.
