Jane R. Plitt

Martha Matilda Harper was a young Canadian immigrant who came to Rochester, NY as a domestic servant in the late 1800's. Martha dreamed of doing more with her life and used a hair tonic recipe to catapult her into the business world. Martha opened a series of salons that focused on inner health promoting outer beauty. She hired former domestic servants like herself and trained them in her method- The Harper Method, creating what we now know as the franchise. The Harper Method, products, and inventions thrived until the 1970's, 20 years after Martha's death; however, her legacy seemed all but forgotten.

Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream is an eye-opening and revealing biography about a woman whose legacy might have been lost to time. Biographer, Jane Plitt became interested in Martha's story after finding out that Martha was one of the first women in the Chamber of Commerce. From there, Jane became determined to uncover Martha's story. While many details of Martha's story have been lost, Jane has uncovered parts of Martha's life from her childhood in Canada to her death in 1950. Martha Matilda's story should be one we learn about alongside suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and inventors like George Eastman. Extensive research has been done to attempt to put back together Martha's life and legacy. I was amazed at Martha's impact during her time and her tenacity to overcome obstacles. I hope her story continues to unfold.… (meer)