Hair dressers have been left behind for a long time and it's time for us to demand respect.

Each state requires cosmetologists to have so many hours of specialized schooling, a state boards exam and continuing education hours in order to maintain a license and yet we are NEVER included on ANY industry list. 

Salons are a huge tax bracket nationally and it's time that our profession is taken seriously. 

When the global pandemic began in early 2020, many self employed individuals were unable to apply for unemployment. Cosmetology is a huge industry with nearly 582K stylists (10% are independent contractors). We were left by the wayside for nearly three months before we could eventually apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. 

Now with the Covid-19 vaccine roll out plan, Cosmetologists are once again being left behind. 

In Chicago, hair salons were allowed to begin operations on June 3rd, 2020. We have been working in close contact with the public, indoors and unable to socially distance since then. When salons are open, we are not allowed to collect unemployment, making us ESSENTIAL FRONTLINE WORKERS. 

It's time for cosmetologists to be included! Vaccinate us in 1B!