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Black History Month: Dr. Ella Mae Piper

Posted at 7:32 AM, Feb 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-15 07:32:14-05

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- After arriving in Southwest Florida in 1915, Dr. Ella Mae Piper opened the first beauty shop in Fort Myers.

Originally located on Jackson Street, her beauty shop thrived despite the segregation within the city.

Dr. Ella Piper was not just a successful entrepreneur, but also a philanthropist, helping young people, the elderly and particularly, the underprivileged.

Fox 4 celebrates Black History Month.