SOTM Contents: Oct-Dec 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

Miriam Bradley Cordwell: The First Lady of Hairdressing

The author, Judith A. Brodil, is Miriam Cordwell’s niece. A Rockland County native and an artist in her own right, she is retired from a career as an executive in the graphic arts industry, and like her aunt, she was frequently on a plane while raising two children. She lives in New City in a house designed and built circa 1952 by her father, Miriam’s brother John R. Bradley. Judy tells us, “One thing that was truly great about my aunt is that she recognized all types of women and men regardless of their race or religion. My father was the same way. … Miriam was such a force, but she did it nicely, which is why I think she was so beloved.”

COVER PICTURE: This award was presented to Miriam Cordwell for her achievement in a contest for finger waving at the annual convention of the National Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association in 1942. Finger waving was a simple technique for setting hair into curls using wave

SOUTH OF THE MOUNTAINS (ISSN 0489-9563) is published quarterly by

The Historical Society of Rockland County

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© 2020 The Historical Society of Rockland County. All rights reserved

Editor: Marjorie H. Johnson

Consulting Editor: Marianne B. Leese

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