In today’s world, we often forget the power of our hair as an expression of our individuality and beauty. Especially for young girls, managing hair can be a daunting task that often goes unnoticed. But not anymore! Thanks to Rachel Eloy, a third-year University of Florida student, Her Natural Wreath, a Gainesville nonprofit organization, is providing free braiding services to girls aged 3 to 17. The organization aims to empower young girls in Gainesville by building their self-confidence through beautiful hairstyles such as faux locs, passion twists, feed-ins, and cornrows.
Rachel noticed many young girls with unmanaged hair while volunteering at the Child Advocacy Center in 2021. As someone who always prioritized properly grooming hair to go to school as a young girl, Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands. As a behavioral and cognitive neuroscience and women’s studies student, Rachel founded Her Natural Wreath in May of 2021 to provide free hair braiding services to young Black girls in her community. The organization’s mission statement is to make girls feel like their hair is a beautiful part of their outward appearance, reflecting their inner beauty.
The organization has made a lasting impact on many young girls’ lives, such as twelve-year-old Jasmine Lassiter, who said kids used to make fun of her hair. Thanks to Her Natural Wreath, now her classmates admire her beautiful braids. Rachel encourages volunteers to join the organization to serve the community better. Her Natural Wreath provides hair services to an average of five to fifteen girls monthly, and Rachel’s goal is to recruit more volunteers to make salon services available twice a week with about 10 to 15 volunteers at every event.
Rachel’s passion for making a positive impact in her community has received immense support from individuals throughout the Gainesville community. The Archer Beauty Supply donated over $450 in beauty supply products for Rachel’s back-to-school event in August. Her Natural Wreath has partnered with two local hair salons, Locs by Dee and Jessica at Hairport, which offer their resources inside the salon for the organization. Heidi Monty, who takes her daughter to Her Natural Wreath, admires how Rachel gains the trust of the children, making them comfortable throughout the braiding process.
Rachel reached out to friends in her service club at the University of Florida to get them involved in Her Natural Wreath events. Imani Sanchez, a second-year political science and international studies student, and Lauren Vendryes, another UF student, volunteered for Her Natural Wreath for the first time recently. Both are eager to return and help again. Imani related to the Black community and appreciated the opportunity to make an impact in their lives, while Lauren enjoyed working with kids and the great experience Her Natural Wreath offers.
At present, Her Natural Wreath’s services are offered once a month, and the organization is looking for more women in the Gainesville community to help support its continuation. Rachel’s mission for Her Natural Wreath is not just limited to providing hair services to young Black girls but to remind them that Black culture, Black excellence, and Black beauty are worth cherishing. Eloy said that positive feeling can grow into deeper self-awareness for the girls.
Her Natural Wreath reminds us of the significance of hair and how it is beautiful with or without extensions. It has brought together a community of people dedicated to positively impacting young girls’ lives in Gainesville. Rachel’s passion and drive for serving her community are an inspiration, and she will undoubtedly continue to make a significant difference in the lives of many young girls through Her Natural Wreath.
