FLORENCE E. WALL: REBEL INTO PIONEER 165 The first course at New York University was continued, and it always drew a wide variety of students. In my own class alone we had advertis- ing people, chemists and pharmacists, beauty editors, nurses, practicing cosmetologists and teachers in several fields. Three other courses were soon added. Two of these, "Advanced Cos- metology" and "Teaching of Cosmetology," were restricted to people in the field. The third addition on the "Teaching of Personal Grooming," was especially for people in home economics, personal hygiene and other fields, who teach high school and college students. She always maintained friendly relations with the dermatology depart- ment at the College of Medicine, and gave a lecture to the postgraduates each year in exchange for a visit to her advanced class by one of the pro- fessors. A few of the doctors actually ventured over to the School of Education for her course in cosmetology, always incognito and scared for their lives (and reputations) that some of their colleagues would learn where they disappeared to on those evenings. And just a few years ago she gave a full summer course to the postgraduates in dermatology. Florence regretfully terminated her work at New York University in 1943 when she had to move to Easton, Pa., for her war-time work as technical editor for General Aniline and Film Corporation. After two years she returned to New York to become technical editor for the con- sulting laboratories of Ralph L. Evans Associates. Since 1947, however, she has been back at her own consulting work. The crowded G.I. program at New York University made it impossible for her to regain a foothold at the university, but this did not curtail her teaching activities. She has been engaged for educational programs by many schools, colleges and state departments of education throughout the country, principally "teaching teachers to teach" cosmetology. It is easy to see how this came about. She really is an exceptionally good teacher because she has a knack of talking to students on their own educational level. She has been equally successful with physicians, teachers and sales people. And it must take something special to explain difficult and seemingly abstruse points in science and technology to the average mixed group in cosmetology--people with varied backgrounds and abilities--and make them understand it and like it. She has also, as most of you know, continued her writing. Of the five books to her credit, the two best known now are her encyclopedic "Princi- ples and Practice of Beauty Culture" (now in its third edition) and a comprehensive guidance manual called "Opportunities in Beauty Culture." In addition she has contributed chapters or sections on cosmetics to books by several other authors and to two encyclopedias. Many of you undoubt- edly have seen the pieces in the "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology" but you may not know about the set of articles in the "World Book Encyclo-

166 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS pedia" which is edited for secondary schools. Those articles which she started so long ago now number 235 on cosmetics and cosmetology alone, and they have appeared in a wide variety of publications. So that brings us practically up to date. I really should say a few words about one phase of her work which has gone along almost continuously through the years. As a change from writing, she likes to use her hands. It is occasionally a surprise to clients to learn that she can actually perform all the beauty techniques herself. This dates from her practical experience in the beauty culture schools where she learned it all the hard way, and it bears out a remark I have often heard her make, "How can I teach any- thing correctly to anybody unless I can do it myself!" For tests she is often her own "guinea pig," But she has occasionally donned an operator's uniform and worked in a beauty salon or school. All this has served her in good stead. Because of it, she has established a reputation as an expert in the clinical testing of cosmetic products and treatments. Those of us who really know Florence Wall, even if only through her work, know that enlightening both herself and others is a constant and dominating force with her. It would be impossible for her to stand still, and all of us who know her are completely aware of the fact that she will continue her unique contributions. She could do nothing else. That completes all the highlights I intended to bring out about our Medalist's career in cosmetics and cosmetology. But with your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to indulge in a short encore. Maybe you noticed, as I did, that there is nothing on the menu about the personal side of Florence Wall. Both Dr. Hamlin and I have contrib- uted to a double feature on her career and professional life--but very little about her as a person. This omission probably was intentional on Florence's part, but with or without her consent, I wish to give you now a brief summary which I think is both important and pertinent. Our composite picture, it seems to me, makes her sound rather like a triple threat, and I believe that that is the impression she is too apt to give to her business associates. I do not mind confessing that when I first met her I was a little scared of her, and I have heard people who know her only casually, in a business way, remark that "she seems like such a formidable person." I think that impression needs a little correcting. It is only a facade she wears while at work. Actually our Medalist is one of the warmest hearted people I know. And, although it may not be obvious enough, I personally believe that side of her has had considerable effect on some of the work she has chosen to do. I believe, for instance, that her great urge to teach is based mainly on her desire to serve others. This comes out in many facets of her life, and sometimes ties her per-