Rosemary Reed Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rosemary Reed Miller
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| Born |
Rosemary Reed Miller
June 22, 1939 Yeadon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | August 2, 2017 (aged 78) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Temple University |
| Occupation | Business owner, historian |
| Spouse(s) | Paul E. Miller (1935–1974), married until his death |
| Partner(s) | John Howard |
| Children | Paul "DJ Spooky", Sabrina Miller runs CARE Corozal Animal Rescue Experience in Belize |
Grandchildren Mia Miller, Hakeem Ford I,Kerwince JonesII
Rosemary Reed Miller (June 22, 1939 – August 2, 2017) was a talented American businesswoman and writer. She owned a famous fashion store called Toast and Strawberries in Washington, D.C.. Rosemary also wrote books about African-American fashion designers and dressmakers.
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Rosemary's Amazing Journey
Rosemary Reed Miller was born on June 22, 1939, in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Byron and Eloise Miller. She went to college at Temple University.
After college, Rosemary worked as a reporter. She wrote for newspapers in Jamaica and Puerto Rico. She also wrote for big newspapers in the United States. These included Washington Post, Washington Star, and the Miami Herald.
In the 1960s, Rosemary worked for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. She also designed jewelry as a hobby.
Toast and Strawberries Boutique
In 1967, Rosemary opened her own business called Toast and Strawberries. At first, it was a place for designers to show their clothes and jewelry to other businesses. But soon, she turned it into a store where people could buy things directly.
Rosemary wanted her store to show off new and well-known designers from all over the world. She believed that talent had no limits. It didn't matter if someone was male or female, or what their background was. Famous people like singer Aretha Franklin and actress Heather Locklear shopped there.
In 1974, Black Enterprise Magazine wrote about Rosemary. They said her store made $190,000 in sales in 1973. This was a lot of money back then!
Over the years, Rosemary helped many designers by holding fashion shows. For example, in 1974, she joined the National Council of Negro Women's fashion show. Her store's fashions were also shown at a big event for the American War Mothers in 1979.
Toast and Strawberries also taught people about the history of African-American women in fashion. They showed how designing clothes helped women earn money and become independent. The store became a well-known place in Washington, D.C. It closed in 2005 because the rent became too expensive. Rosemary Miller passed away on August 2, 2017, at her home.
Awards and Recognition
- In 1981, Rosemary was named "Small Business Person of the Year" for Washington, D.C. This award came from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Rosemary's Family Life
Rosemary married Paul Miller, who was a dean at Howard University School of Law. Sadly, Paul passed away suddenly in 1974 when he was only 38 years old.
Rosemary was the mother of two children. Her son, Paul Miller, is a musician and writer known as DJ Spooky. Her daughter, Sabrina Miller, runs an animal rescue in Belize called CARE Corozal Animal Rescue Experience. Rosemary also had grandchildren named Mia Miller, Hakeem Ford I, and Kerwince Jones II.
