Bettiann Gardner (Finding Aid)

Bettiann Gardner

1930 -

Favorite Food: Gumbo Filet

Favorite Vacation Spot: The Caribbean

Interview Length: 78 minutes

Interview Date(s): August 26, 2002

Interview Location(s): The HistoryMakers, Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Bettiann Gardner talks about her family and how she received her instruction in social graces from her French Creole grandmother. She then recalls her personality as a child and growing up in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. Gardner then gives highlights from her childhood and ends with her courtship and subsequent marriage to Edward Gardner. Bettiann Gardner talks briefly about her grandfather's occupation as a Pullman porter. She then discusses her involvement with the purchase and management of the New Regal Theatre, plus her activities with the Chicago Sinfonietta orchestra. Gardner then details the origins and family involvement of the Soft Sheen Products hair care empire. Bettiann Gardner details the negotiations involving the sale of Soft Sheen Products to the L'Oréal corporation. She then talks about her daughter Terri's activities as CEO of Soft Sheen during the transfer of the company. Gardner then discusses her tenure as the publisher for a beauty trade magazine she developed. She then discusses her involvement as a stockholder of the Chicago Bulls professional basketball team. Lastly, she talks about her role as a grandmother.

27 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)