[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 175 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF CHRISTINA JENKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pioneer in 
the field of cosmetology. Christina M. Jenkins, a resident of Cleveland 
Heights, Ohio who invented the process known as hair weaving, passed 
away recently at the age of 82.
  A native of Louisiana, Christina Jenkins graduated with a bachelor's 
degree in science from Leland College near Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 
1943. She began researching ways to secure wigs and hairpieces while 
working for a Chicago wig manufacturer in 1949. She moved to Malvern, 
Ohio near Canton and continued developing what she called the Hairweev 
process, which was designed for making hairdos longer and fuller by 
weaving extensions onto existing hair.
  She received a patent in 1951 for her hair weaving method that 
continues to be used by hairstylists around the world. Jenkins taught 
her technique to cosmetologists at Christina's HairWeev Penthouse Salon 
in Shaker Heights until 1993. She also conducted training sessions in 
Europe.
  Once a process only used by entertainers and people with extreme hair 
loss, hair weaving has become a common practice allowing people to 
appear as though they were born with thick, luxurious heads of hair. 
Its popularity has made the hair weaving business a billion dollar 
industry.
  Christina was married to popular jazz pianist Herman ``Duke'' 
Jenkins. To this union was born one daughter, Sheila Jenkins-Cochran.
  On behalf of the people of the 11th Congressional District, I wish to 
commend Christina Jenkins. Her revolutionary contributions to the field 
of cosmetology have helped to boost the self-esteem of men and women 
across the world.

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