A Note from Ruth and Rae

It has come to our attention since promoting this year's supposed International Women's Day theme, #GiveToGain, that there is a significant conversation happening regarding its origins. We have learned that while this theme is widely circulated by a private marketing entity, the official United Nations theme for 2026 is "Rights. Justice. Action." We want to sincerely apologise for not picking this up sooner.

At WELOVE, our mission is to empower the hair community and champion the professionals who drive it forward. Because of this, we believe it is essential to align ourselves with the official UN theme. While we will always celebrate collaboration, we also recognise that true empowerment requires us to address the systemic unfairness and dangers women face globally. We are committed to a future where every stylist is safe, respected, and heard and we recognise the controversy surrounding the expectation that women must always "give" in order to "gain."

In a world where women still face systemic imbalance, unfairness, and physical danger and cruelty, we believe the focus must remain on fundamental rights and safety. We stand in solidarity with the global movement for genuine equity.

We would still like to honour the phenomenal women below who changed our industry, as their stories are a testament to the resilience and brilliance required to fight for a seat at the table.

How Collaboration Built the Hair Industry

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, WELOVE is looking back at the incredible women who shaped the industry we live and breathe.

This year’s theme is GiveToGain (not the official theme - see note above), a concept that sits within the WELOVE ethos: Collaboration over Competition (although ours is not purely about personal gain, but gain for the overall industry as a whole).

The history of hair is often viewed as a race for the best salon or the most exclusive technique. However, the most significant leaps in our industry happened because women chose to share their knowledge, their inventions, and their platforms so that others could thrive alongside them.

Moving Beyond Competition

At WELOVE, we believe that one stylist’s success shouldn't come at the expense of another’s. Our community is built on the idea that when we share our standards, our mistakes, and our triumphs, the entire industry gets better.

Mentoring a peer strengthens our professional reputation. Taking the time to master a new skill—like your next Purple Heart level—gives you the tools to lift up your clients and your colleagues. This mindset is a legacy handed down by pioneers who knew that true influence comes from bringing others with you.

Honouring the Pioneers Who #GaveToGain

These women built far more than successful businesses; they created the foundations and the opportunities that our entire industry stands on today.

1. Annie Turnbo Malone (1869–1957)

The Blueprint for Beauty Education
Before Madam C.J. Walker, there was Annie Turnbo Malone. In the early 1900s, Annie revolutionised the industry by founding Poro College in St. Louis. It was the first educational institution dedicated to the study and teaching of Black cosmetology. By sharing her "Poro Method" with thousands of women, she gave them the technical skills to gain financial freedom long before they even had the right to vote.

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

2. Madam C.J. Walker (1867–1919)

The Legacy of Economic Opportunity
A contemporary of Malone, Madam C.J. Walker took the "Give to Gain" philosophy global. She created a vast network of Walker Agents, training nearly 20,000 women across the US and the Caribbean. She famously stated that she was more proud of the jobs she created for other women than the money she made for herself. Her legacy is a masterclass in how sharing a business model can elevate an entire community.

Source: National Women’s History Museum

3. Marjorie Joyner (1896–1994)

Innovation for the Collective
In 1928, Marjorie Joyner became the first African American woman to patent a mechanical invention—the Permanent Wave Machine. While she could have kept the patent exclusive, she dedicated her career to teaching. As the National Supervisor for Walker’s schools, she travelled the world to share her technical mastery, ensuring that her invention improved the working lives of stylists globally.

Source: Smithsonian Institution Archives

4. Olive Sullivan (Active 1950s–1980s)

Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Standards
A legendary figure in British hairdressing, Olive Sullivan was a pioneer for professional recognition in the UK. In 1974, she became the first female President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing. During an era when the industry’s leadership was almost exclusively male, Olive gave her voice and platform to advocate for higher educational standards and better technical training for women in the craft.

Source: The Fellowship for British Hairdressing History

5. Annie Humphreys (Active 1950s–2010s)

The Mother of Modern Colour Education
Working alongside Vidal Sassoon from the 1960s onwards, Annie Humphreys changed the way we think about hair colour. Before Annie, colour was often a "secret" kept by chemists. She turned it into a creative, technical discipline and, most importantly, she gave it away through education. She spent decades teaching the Sassoon philosophy globally, ensuring the industry gained a standardised language for technical colouring.

Source: British Hairdressing Heritage

Sources & Further Reading:

Annie Turnbo Malone: National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Madam C.J. Walker: On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker by A'Lelia Bundles.

Marjorie Joyner: National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Olive Sullivan & Annie Humphreys: The Fellowship for British Hairdressing and Hairdressers Journal archives.