Dianne is the co-founder of Natural Haircare News and Coils To Locs.com. She's been blogging about natural hair ever since she made the decision to break free of the creamy crack in 2012.
Latest posts by Dianne Austin (see all)
Image from XclusiveMemphis.com
Our hair is our crowning glory and the fact that we spend a great amount of time and money on our hair is proof of that. Losing our hair, whether through breakage, medication, or even via the big chop can be an emotional experience for many. And for our sisters who lose their hair due to an illness like cancer, the impact to their lives can be so devastating. Such is the experience of Tennessee anchorwoman Pam McKelvy who battled breast cancer since 2012. She lost her hair after going through chemotherapy and had to wear a wig since March of 2013. According to Pam, the pressure of losing her hair was intensified by how important one’s appearance is in the television industry.
After Pam’s hair started growing back a few months after her chemotherapy, she began to think about not only how she was going to wear her hair on air, but about the message she would be sending to young women about confidence and self-acceptance. She decided to go natural and stop using relaxers to straighten her hair.
Her decision was both courageous and inspiring; especially for many young black women. Her message is clear: hair is not everything and inner beauty is more important than external appearance. Once you embrace your natural God-given hair, you will find that you’ll love your hair texture.
In her closing statement, McKelvy, while dabbing tears from her eyes said:
“I want everybody to know that no matter what you go through, it’s not about what’s on the outside, it’s about what’s on the inside. And I feel that on the inside I am more radiant and beautiful than I’ve ever been.”
Watch Pam McKelvy’s big reveal in this inspiring clip from the news segment:
 “Changing attitudes about natural hair” is what we do at Natural Haircare News. Through informative articles, podcasts and videos, we go beyond just sharing the latest advice and tips on kinky, curly, wavy haircare – We shake things up and focus on the realities of wearing our hair natural. |
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4 Responses to News Anchor Pam McKelvy Removes Wig and Reveals Her Natural Hair on the Air
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I’m so happy for her, but it amazes me that we’re fighting this battle over again! History sure repeats itself ! I first went natural in 1968 when afros came out. There was no transition process & no special natural hair products like there are now. Folks just did it on their own like I did or went to a barber. I had just gotten my hair back after a disastrous relaxer several years before.My hair had broken off & I had scalp damage & wore wigs for years.I tried press & curl when my hair grew back but got SICK OF HOT COMBS after one salon visit!! I wore my afro for about 13 years before getting a curly perm in early 80s. Now I’m back natural again. During my afro days in the 70s there were battles fought over black hair in the workplace,etc. And here we are doing it again.
You are so right! History always seems to repeat itself. Thanks for sharing your insights on this very interesting, (but not so new) topic.
THAT just filled me up and brought tears of happiness to my eyes! I am very proud of Pam McElvy. And the video segment was on point, too.
We agree – Pam is so inspirational! Thanks for your feedback.