Madam Birdie Freeman

In the early 1900s, well off black women in Savannah sometimes called themselves madames. Beauticians included.

Madame Freeman was one of em. She was born Bridie Andres in Hampton, SC in 1887. A “high yellow” Gullah woman. She moved to Savannah in 1903. Her husband, Thomas Freeman, opened a grocery store in Savannah. Their address 321 Alice St.

In 1908, Madame Freeman opened a beauty salon. Then in 1914, she opened a beauty school (first black woman in the city to do it). Both locations at 456 Montgomery Street.

I found a census from year 1900 when she was 13 years old, still living with her parents (Colonel Andres and Cathrine Andres). Her dad was a tinner.

Her school was a big deal in the city and women who went were called “Freeman’s Girls.” Can’t you hear somebody saying that: She one’a dem Freeman’s Girls.

According to a GPB article, the school taught its hair students biology + anatomy, in addition to the usual. Women who had kids would bring em to class with em. That wasn’t unusual.

In 1947, she expanded her business and opened the Freeman Flower Shop. According to the book W.W. Law and His People, “her shop had one of the most complete stocks of cosmetics, hair combs and general beauty culture equipment in the city.”

And Madame Freeman supported the movement. Issues in the community were discussed in the school and money was collected to help pay for bail outs and civil rights attorneys and whatnot.

She married twice but no kids ‘less you count the school because she birthed and raised generations of magic in that building.

On a 1940 census, she put her highest completed grade as 5th and her occupation as a proprietor in the beauty industry, also having “income from other sources.” Boss.

She passed on October 21, 1957.  Her address at the time of death was 456-1/2 Montgomery St.

Her energy still vibrates in the city. Tap in.