Freddye Scarborough Henderson facts for kids
Freddye Scarborough Henderson (born February 18, 1917 – died January 19, 2007) was an amazing American businesswoman. She was a travel agent who became famous for creating travel agencies especially for African-American travelers. At a time when travel could be difficult for African Americans, she helped open up new opportunities for them to explore the world.
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Early Life and Education
Freddye was born in Franklinton, Louisiana, on February 18, 1917. She loved learning and achieved a lot in her studies.
College Years
In 1937, she earned a degree in home economics from Southern University. Home economics is a field that teaches about managing a home, family life, and related skills like cooking and sewing.
Advanced Studies
Later, in 1950, Freddye made history. She was the first African American to earn a master's degree in fashion merchandising from New York University. Fashion merchandising is all about how clothes are sold and promoted.
Career Before Travel
Before she started her travel agency, Freddye had a successful career in fashion.
Dress Shop Owner
From 1944 to 1950, she owned her own dress shop in Atlanta, Georgia. She helped people find beautiful clothes.
Fashion Editor
In 1950, Freddye became a fashion editor for the Associated Negro Press. This meant she wrote about fashion for newspapers. She had her own column that appeared in many black newspapers across America. She shared her fashion tips and ideas with many readers.
Pioneering Travel Service
Freddye's biggest impact came when she combined her business skills with her passion for helping others travel.
Starting Henderson Travel Service
In 1955, Freddye and her husband, Jacob R. Henderson, started the Henderson Travel Service. Their office was in Atlanta. This was a very important step because it was the first African American travel agency in the entire Southeast region of the United States. They helped many African Americans plan trips and see new places.
Later Life
Freddye Scarborough Henderson passed away on January 19, 2007, after being ill for some time. She was buried in Atlanta's South-View Cemetery. Her legacy lives on through the many people she helped travel and explore.
