THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607260185
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers Cutchins
LENGTH: 94 lines
During this time of welfare reform, Linda F. Pegram is hoping to make a difference in the lives of young mothers by offering them the opportunity to learn a trade in 12 to 19 months.
Through government grants, financial aid and in-house scholarships, the director of the Portsmouth School of Beauty Culture is operating at full capacity, with 230 students learning the latest techniques in styling hair, applying makeup and doing nails.
``We've been very successful getting students redirected, off welfare and in a minimal paying job in the work force that can make them independent and good citizens,'' said Pegram, who has been with the school for six years. ``Our main goal is to get them into the system and get them working, and it's working. ... We're real successful at that. I feel real good about what we're doing.''
Recently, this Taylorwood resident was named 1996 Woman of the Year, an award given by the Outstanding Professional Women of Hampton Roads since 1981. Past recipients include Dr. Georgeanna Jones, co-director of the Jones In-vitro Fertilization Clinic, and Meyera E. Oberndorf, mayor of Virginia Beach.
``I was totally surprised, to be very honest, because I just didn't expect it,'' said Pegram, who credits the award with giving her the opportunity to promote proprietary schools. ``The public often doesn't have a very good idea of what these schools are supposed to project and do.
``And by getting this award, it's allowed me numerous times to present to the public the good that we are doing.''
Pegram has worked with privately owned and operated schools since the late 1970s, when she started with Virginia Institute of Technology. From there, she worked as a consultant in the restructuring and growth of the proprietary school business.
``I love a challenge, and once the challenge is over, I have no interest left,'' she said, ``but with this school, I will go to my grave doing this because I'll never accomplish here everything I want to.''
Currently, the cosmetology school, a two-story brick building at South and Loudoun streets, is attempting to open a day-care center and has just begun an eight-week ``finishing'' school to help students build self-confidence.
``What we were finding was our students were very prepared in their particular field, but often their self-esteem wasn't exactly what it should be,'' she said.
Pegram, 45, was born in Vansant, a tiny town in the mountains of western Virginia. When she was 2, her family moved to Portsmouth. Raised in Elizabeth Manor, Pegram lives in Western Branch with her husband, Willie, and three children.
When she's not working 60-hour weeks, Pegram enjoys lying on the beach with a good book.
``Nothing is any more relaxing than the ocean to me,'' she said. ``That's like a wellspring to me.''
Name: Linda Fletcher Pegram.
Nickname: None.
Neighborhood: Taylorwood, but raised in Elizabeth Manor.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 20.
Birthplace: Vansant, Va.
Birthdate: Oct. 5, 1950.
Occupation: Director, Portsmouth School of Beauty Culture.
What job other than your own would you like? I would like to own and operate a home with a family- type environment for abused women and children.
Marital status: Married to Willie Pegram.
Children: Jody, 24; Josh, 21; Abbey, 11.
Fondest childhood memory: Visiting my grandparents in the country.
First concert: Temptations, 1967, at the Virginia Beach Dome.
What song or book title best describes your life? ``A Tear and a Smile.''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you would buy? Fulfill the wish lists of my family, friends and students.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? The government figure who holds the purse strings and final approval for government funding for education because evidently the ones holding that position don't fully understand.
Biggest accomplishment: Being able to be in a profession I enjoy and still maintain a close-knit relationship with my family.
Most embarrassing moment: Too many to name just one.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My lack of organization.
Perfect way to spend the day: At the beach with a good book.
I can't resist: A good laugh.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Cafe Europa.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Crime, which compounds the other problems.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
A leader that realizes Portsmouth's true potential and follows through with a plan.
Tearing down and replacing existing projects with safe, affordable housing.
Renew and rebuild the entire Midtown area.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about Portsmouth? The opportunity that Portsmouth gives me to work with wonderful students and staff at our school. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL by CNB