DUNMORE, Pa. — July 3 is CROWN Day. CROWN, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair, is a national effort to get states to pass laws that ban hair-based discrimination as it relates to hair style and texture.
For hair stylist April Martinborough, a day at her salon Real by Nature in Dunmore means helping her clients express themselves.
"I am a natural hair stylist," Martinborough said. "I am a natural hair stylist advocate, even."
Martinborough, who also goes by Real, knows her look and the way she styles her hair and her clients' hair may be considered different, but it's not a reason for discrimination.
"Hair is a part of your identity. It's a huge part of your identity being able to express yourself or to come and go as you please," Martinborough said. "I think it's important for you to be accepted in all spaces."
Martinborough says it's unfortunate that there has to be an effort like the CROWN Act to combat hair discrimination but understands the need.
"I think that it's sad that it even has to be legislation for that," Martinborough said. "It's important for people to feel comfortable in their own skin and every environment that they're in—school, work, recreationally, wherever they go."
Martinborough remembers the cutting feeling when, as a student, she was told her hair was problematic.
"I was new to Pennsylvania from New York, and I wore weave extensions that were blue and black, and I was told that my hair would distract the other students," she recalled. "(It made me feel) like I didn't belong, like I'm strange for being creative. I question myself because, obviously, the school was authoritative on my life right now because if they're telling me something is wrong, then there is."
Martinborough says that moment made her dig deep within and come up with ways to turn her passion for creativity into a profession.
"I saw the bigger picture. I saw how important it was for me to get my cosmetology license. I knew how hungry and thirsty I was for knowledge. So, I was willing to seek it outside of school and be the person that, on purpose, I provide these services for this area."
Now, whether it's locks, braids, twists, or silk presses, April's natural styles are turning heads and hearts toward freedom of expression.
Tahairah Muhammad, a client, is proof.
"I would blow dry it. I would flat-iron it to get it as straight as possible, put it in a ponytail, and call it a day," Muhammad said. "I realized I can do natural hairstyles. I can love my hair for what it is, and everyone should."
"I love to promote feeling good in their natural hair and their own skin, so that's what I like to do," Martinborough added.
It's a crowning achievement for April, who hopes one day, all hair and hairstyles will be appreciated and respected.
As of July 1, 25 states have passed legislation surrounding the CROWN Act, including four states that border Pennsylvania.
In the Commonwealth, the bill has passed in the State House, but it has not come up for a vote yet in the State Senate.