Women Florist & Growers
Unyellding determation
Since the birth of the Floral District in New York, and its influence spreading across the United States, trailblazing women have defied tradition and broken cultural barriers. With bold vision and unwavering determination, they challenged the status quo, reshaping the industry by leading through example and planting the seeds of change. In a historically male-dominated field, these women made their presence known, proving that their skills, creativity, and leadership were just as formidable—if not greater—than their counterparts.
Miss Christine Johnson * Quincy, Massachusetts 1882
Initially her occupation started with a small greenhouse and garden for personal enjoyment and health. Her husband who was a nursery gardener fell ill to paralysis, she took on the business. Her business grew significantly, eventually including four forcing houses, a fern house, and a large garden. Johnson trained three young women, demonstrating that women could effectively manage floriculture operations. She believed that women were perfectly capable to work in the floral industry. Her goal was to train women to grow flowers to become entrepreneurs.
BELL MILLER
Cut Flower Grower & Florist
She began her journey in 1892 at the age of 22, starting on a small scale by building her first greenhouse with her own hands. She constructed it by sinking a dry goods box into the earth and covering it with glass. With this setup, she grew lettuce, selling her harvest to fund the construction of a larger greenhouse dedicated to carnations. She sold the carnations to her neighbors, and with the profits, she expanded once again, building an even larger greenhouse.
Determined and resourceful, she later cultivated violets, constructing the beds and greenhouse herself. As long as she tended to them, the flowers thrived. Her father, the owner of a hardware store, provided her with tools and taught her the skills to use them. She quickly mastered the craft, learning how to set glass on the greenhouse roofs—eventually becoming more skilled than any man in the trade.
Through trial and error, she faced both success and disappointment, but she never gave up. Her perseverance paid off, and she expanded her business, growing roses and carnations on a large scale. Her retail and wholesale trade flourished beyond her expectations, catering to the wealthiest members of her community. Eventually, her greenhouses spanned an entire city block, making them the largest in the state of Illinois.
She amassed great wealth from selling cut roses and carnations, with carnations being her favorite. She also shipped her flowers to the wholesale market in St. Louis.
Even after her passing at the age of 70, it is said that her soul has not found rest, as she felt there was still much work left undone. Guests who have stayed in her home claim to hear her voice warmly greeting them, saying, “Hello there, welcome home.”
In 1909, at the age of 29, she had her home built—an apartment building that still stands today. She was known for greeting her tenants with kindness and generosity, always sharing her wealth with the community.
MISS FLORENCE KENNEDY
CRIPPLE CREEK FLORIST * EST. 1902 COLORADO
Miss Kennedy established her florist shop in the historic mining town of Cripple Creek (Gold Rush Town) in 1902. Her remarkable success allowed her to expand, opening a second location in Colorado Springs in 1906, where she was free from traditional cultural norms, allowing her to shape her business and legacy on her own terms during the height of the gold rush era at that area.
Rose Fallon
First Female General Manager & President of a firm in all of the history of the New York Flower District.
House Of Flowers
Rose Fallon’s love for flowers began in childhood, growing up in New York. While attending a convent school, she found joy in decorating the altar with flowers and ribbons, eagerly anticipating every opportunity to be part of the school’s decoration team.
During a winter break in college, she landed a job at Charles Thorley’s House of Flowers—a moment she later described as life-changing at the age of 16: “The doors swung open for me.” She had no prior experience working with flowers, but she quickly learned from the seasoned designers, many of whom were extraordinarily talented African American men. Their expertise and artistry shaped her perspective and deepened her appreciation for the craft.
Initially assisting with bridal and hand-tied bouquets, she was soon given the freedom to experiment—choosing ribbons, modifying designs, and even influencing traditional Colonial-style bouquets. At the end of that first week, she was thrilled to discover a raise in her paycheck, marking the beginning of her deep commitment to floristry.
Eventually, she left college and her part-time clerical job, immersing herself entirely in the House of Flowers. With relentless ambition, she worked her way up from an assistant to a buyer, then climbed even higher to become the store’s manager—a rare achievement for a woman in New York’s floral industry at the time. Charles Thorley himself recognized her dedication and talent, entrusting her with increasing responsibilities.
Even after marrying, when her husband encouraged her to leave the shop, she refused, insisting that her work brought her immense joy. Her married name Mr. Rose Van Namee.
At the height of the shop’s success, Rose found herself surrounded by New York’s elite, working with the city’s wealthiest 200 families and rubbing shoulders with renowned figures, including Langston Hughes, who had also worked at the shop.
In 1923, tragedy struck when Charles Thorley passed away unexpectedly after attending a football game at Princeton University. Rose was blindsided to learn that Thorley had made her president of the company and a major financial stakeholder. The weight of responsibility was overwhelming, but she rose to the challenge.
Six months later, she expanded the House of Flowers brand to three buildings, securing what was then the largest lease in New York—an astonishing $5 million deal. Under her leadership, the shop flourished, becoming a floral empire adorned with an exquisite array of flowers and plants. She maintained a strong commitment to American-made goods, ensuring that everything she purchased—from clothing to supplies—supported local manufacturers.
Rose Fallon was more than a florist; she was a trailblazer. She firmly believed that women possessed the same talent, taste, and determination as men. Through hard work and mastery of their craft, she proved that nothing was impossible. As a pioneer in the floral industry, she paved the way for women to break barriers and claim their place in a male-dominated field.
The Story of Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Wolfe ("Annie")
Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Wolfe, affectionately known as Annie, had a rich and complex journey. Her family hailed from England, and during the 1880s, her father, James Wolfe, took a job with a railroad company in Bombay, India, as part of the region’s expansion. Annie, along with her mother and siblings, later joined him there.
Raised in India, Annie and her siblings were cared for by local Indian women. By the age of eight, she was immersed in the vibrant colors, rich culture, bustling markets, and awe-inspiring temples of Bombay. She developed a deep appreciation for the lush flowers and plants that adorned the city.
In 1895, when Annie was 18, her father’s brother encouraged the family to move to Waco, Texas, calling it "the land of milk and honey." However, upon arrival, they were shocked by the stark contrast—vast, dry, and dusty plains instead of the bustling, flower-filled streets of Bombay. Towns were underdeveloped, and to their dismay, the relative who had urged them to move was nowhere to be found. Determined to make a living, Annie’s father secured work with the railroad, slowly establishing stability for the family.
To help support themselves, Annie and her sister found work as nannies and maids. Their British heritage made them highly desirable to the wealthy cotton barons of Waco, as having an English maid or nanny was a status symbol. Yet, despite their employment, they longed for the flowers and plants they had grown up with in India.
Seeking to bring that beauty back into their lives, the sisters started a small business picking and selling flowers. At first, their employers allowed them to gather blooms from their lavish gardens, but as demand grew, they began working with local gardeners across town. Seeing their success, their father took a bold step—he hired a Dutch nurseryman to build a greenhouse, laying the foundation for what would become Wolfe the Florist of Waco, Texas, a business that still thrives today.
Annie continued to run the florist shop even after marriage, an unusual feat for a woman of her time. At the Texas State Florists' Association convention in 1915, she passionately argued for the vital role of women in floristry, emphasizing their artistic talents and deep understanding of customers’ needs—skills she believed often surpassed those of men in floral design.
In 1929, she sold the company to her nephews but remained active as a floral designer until her passing. Through her resilience, vision, and love for flowers, Annie left a lasting mark on the floristry industry, paving the way for future generations of women in the business. Her Greenhouses can be seen in the image below.
Harlem House of Flowers
Lucille entered the floral business in 1918 after marrying into it, establishing herself at 2306 Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Born in 1898, she became one of the very few African American women in Harlem to own a florist shop—a remarkable achievement in her time.
Her talent and creativity set her apart. In 1954, she won first prize for “Originality” at the Metropolitan Retail Florist Show for her stunning hat made of 35 Hawaiian orchids and baby flowers. As the only African American florist exhibiting at the show, her participation took immense courage in a segregated industry. At 56, she stood as a testament to resilience and artistry, sourcing her exquisite orchids from Thomas Young, a grower in the Floral District.
Lucille was also known for supplying Billie Holiday with her signature gardenias, adding her touch to a legend’s iconic style.
After decades of dedication to the floral industry, her shop remained a staple in Harlem until it closed in 2011.