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Contact:
Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766
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REP. MORELLE INTRODUCES RESOLUTION FOR “THE MOTHER OF FRANCHISING”

Franchising Community Applauds Effort to Create Commemorative Postage Stamp

(WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 26) – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today commended the effort of Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25) for his submission of a concurrent resolution to honor Martha Matilda Harper, also known as “the mother of franchising,” with a commemorative postage stamp.

Martha Matilda Harper, after spending the first 25 years of her life as a domestic servant, opened the Harper Method Shops and School, a health-conscious hair and skin care store. At the height of her operations, Harper had franchised over five hundred hair salons worldwide. She was able to weave innovative business practices and social entrepreneurship together to create a truly pioneering franchise system in the late 1800s. 

“Harper developed a successful franchise system of independently-owned hair salons on her own at a time when entrepreneurial ventures were largely founded by men,” said IFA Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs Matt Haller. “We applaud Congressman Morelle’s work to honor such an important figure in the franchising community.”

Trained in the “Harper Method” of beauty, which focused on consistent and high-quality customer service, each female franchisee owned her own salon – transforming the lives of women seeking economic independence.

The hard work and determination of Martha Matilda Harper has rightfully earned her the title “the mother of franchising.”

Harper’s legacy lives on through America’s 733,000 franchise businesses that employ nearly 8 million Americans and contribute more than $404 billion to U.S. GDP.

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About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating 58 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.

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