"Lois K. Alexander"(June 7,1916-September 29,2007)

Born Lois Marie Kindle in Little Rock Arkansas where as a young woman she liked peering into

department store windows to sketch dress designs. Lois later started custom-wear botinques in Washington and Harlem.That devotion and the desire to teach African American youths the techniques for entering the garment industry have led to her involvement in many 20th century fashion enterprises.Lois was a 36-year federal employee,mostly with the Department of Urban Development and its predecessor agencies.Lois retired in 1978 as a HUD community planning and development officer in New York.Meanwhile as a 1938 graduate of Virginia's Hampton Institute and having earned her master's degree in retailing,fashion and merchandising from New York University,Lois laid a strong foundation for pioneering spirit.In the 1950s,she did freelance photography for African American newspapers and was vice president of the Captital Press Club,an organization for African American journalists.Influenced by the life and commitment of Sojourner Truth.Lois,selected the present BFM site,2007 Vermont Avenue,NW in Washington,DC,because it was formerly the Sojourner Truth Home for Women & Girls and its recognition by the National Park Service as a possible Undergroundrail site.To highlight her community involvement,Lois worked with and considered Dr.Mary McLeod Bethune her mentor.She was the founder of Harlem Institute of fashion,National Association of Milliners,Dressmakers and Tailors,and The Black Fashion Museum and author of her soon to be re-released (1982) book titled Blacks in the History of Fashion.Lois was named by the business magazine,Dollars and Sense,as one of 1985's top 100 Business and Professional Women in the united states.Lois held a number of distinguished citations,including the Josephine Shaw Lowell Award,Kobrand Corporation's Tattinger,Champagne,Fashion Award,the New York Urban Leagues,Frederick Douglass award,and a certificate of recognition from the City Council of Detriot.A longtime Harlem,resident,Lois was also a board member of the Uptown Chamber of commerce.Tributes to Lois Alexander Lane was held at the Schomberg Center of New York City,July 1998 and the Design Center of Washington,DC,October 1998.Lois died at the Magnolia Center nursing home in Lanham.She had Alzheimer's disease and liver cance.