For most, pursuing an advanced degree is a segue into your dream job or industry. For the students at American Beauty School (ABS) in the Bronx, pursuing a career as an esthetician or cosmetologist goes far beyond the terms of employment.
At first glance, ABS looks like your average beauty school: hair supplies, mannequin heads and the aroma of different fragrances throughout the building. The hallways showcase bulletin boards donning various flyers detailing upcoming events. Of those flyers, you will also find one with a hotline to report domestic abuse.
For decades, domestic abuse has plagued the Bronx community, with the borough continuously ranking the highest in domestic violence cases and fatalities out of all New York City boroughs. In 2021 alone, there were 9,500 reported domestic abuse incidents in the Bronx, something many ABS students are no strangers to. It’s something the Director of ABS, Linda Gagliardo, commits to helping students combat.
“Our students at ABS are not only receiving a quality trade education but also a way out of their toxic environments,” Gagliardo said. “The majority of our students cannot afford traditional college and have hopes of owning their own businesses. For them, it is the only light they see at the end of a very traumatic tunnel.”
According to Gagliardo, approximately 57% of the ABS student body has reported involvement in domestic disputes.
“Having such a high number of our students reporting domestic violence, it’s important as a school that we remember the delicacy and severity of these students’ life beyond our walls,” said Gagliardo. “No two students have the same experience, and we must keep it in mind every day, especially when showcasing students’ work on social media or the internet.”
ABS offers Cosmetology, Esthetician and Nail Specialist programs on a full or part-time schedule. Upon completion of their respective programs, students will sit for their NY State Board exam and receive their license in their chosen field.
Anonymous, a student at ABS, is finishing up her final hours toward her Cosmetology license and is looking forward to the day she can open up her own salon.
“My children and I had to leave our home because things got so bad. We bounced around shelters and are currently living with my grandmother,” Anonymous said. “My education from ABS sets me up for a future where I can provide for my kids in a safe and happy home.”
ABS students are presented with different opportunities to help expand their experience and knowledge, one of which includes working backstage at New York Fashion Week.
“Our students wouldn’t necessarily get these opportunities if they were to pursue them on their own terms,” said Nail Specialist Instructor Jennifer Ortiz. “We are so proud to be able to give our students these experiences to help buff up their portfolios and set them up for success in the real world…without the threat of domestic violence.”