Donna Coombs-Montrose
Shirley Romany of a large singe-parent family, arrived in Canada from her native Trinidad and Tobago with early hair styling training in 1963, strengthened by her cultural upbringing and a determination to succeed. She continued her training for a brief period in New York City before settling in the area of Jasper Place in the 1960s.
Undeterred by racism and culture shock, the young pioneering business woman opened her first business in the Stony Plain Road and 156 Street area close to where she lived. She describes the area: “In those days they had a few horses still running around in carts. … There was nothing past …. 163rd by the funeral place. That was the furthest there was anything. Everything else was just bush and big trees.”
The enterprising Romany became the first Black business owner in Jasper Place and created an industry around black and ethnic hair and developed her business to include training, a range of black small business and on-call services especially for black hair. Her signature Ebony and Ivory became an inspiration and meeting place for the Black Community across the City as Romany continued to sponsor and support a wide range of community projects and events. While thriving in the Jasper Place over the decades, Romany has been very conscious of the neighbouring Enoch Reserve, and “Auntie Shirley” has adopted many children who have grown and succeeded in the regular school system.
Donna Coombs-Montrose is a founding member and current board member of the Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI). She holds a BA (History) and a MSLS. Donna served on the board of City festival CARIWEST from 1999 to 2017, including serving as its President for 10 years. She continues to be an active volunteer. Donna is one of a group of 5 women who started the Caribbean Women Network and is a past member of its board. She is a past Juror for the Edmonton Arts Council and other juries. Donna is a community activist who has supported and continues to support many other community organizations including Council of Canadians of Caribbean and African Heritage (CCACH).
