TORONTO, August 12, 1998 -- Beverly Mascoll, a black businesswoman and York University student, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.) for outstanding entrepreneurship and assisting Canada's youth.

The Toronto resident will receive the honour -- the highest distinction Canada can bestow upon an individual citizen -- alongside former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, renowned hockey great Maurice (Rocket) Richard and musician Bryan Adams at an investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall later this year.

"I have worked in the community over the years and love what I do," says Mascoll. "To receive this recognition for doing what I love makes the honour doubly appreciated."

Mascoll, 56, founded her own beauty supply company 28 years ago and quickly transformed it from a $700 enterprise, started out of the trunk of her car, into a nationally recognized company. She has shared her success with countless others -- volunteering her time and money to contribute to her community.

Mascoll Beauty Supply Ltd. specializes in the distribution of beauty and hair-care products for black consumers and salons. Mascoll now operates five locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area and employs more than 25 people.

"My company is filling a void and filling a niche in the market," says Mascoll, whose company introduced relaxing and straightening products into Canada, making them more widely available than ever before. Her company now carries 3,000 beauty care products for every segment of the hair-care and facial-care product market.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Mascoll came to Toronto in 1955. She is currently entering her second year at York University's School of Women's Studies -- pursuing her life-long love of learning. "This is something I've always promised myself," she says.

When she is not tending to her business or submerged in her studies, Mascoll is busy helping others. "My contribution is my time," says Mascoll. "It's what I can do at the grassroots level that counts most because that is the level which is most often overlooked."

Mascoll has established a foundation in her name, offering scholarships to enable young people to reach their full potential, and is constantly raising funds for the foundation. One of the major beneficiaries of her foundation has been Camp Jumoke, a camp for children living with sickle cell anemia, a debilitating disease that frequently attacks people of Afro/Caribbean descent.

Mascoll has been tireless in her efforts to promote Canadian business and the well-being of the community at large. She is vice-president of the Canadian Club and a member of the Ontario Black History Society. She has served as a trustee for the Harry Jerome Scholarship fund and as a director at the Ontario Science Centre, to name a few of her endeavours. She was also the co-chair of Toronto's fund-raising campaign for the unique James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University.

Among her many distinguished awards and accolades, Mascoll was awarded the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Human Relations Award in 1995 as well as the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Entrepreneurship in 1993.

Mascoll is available for interviews on her appointment to the Order of Canada as well as her entrepreneurship and advocacy for youth causes.

For more information please contact:

Beverly Mascoll
President
Mascoll Beauty Supply Ltd.
(416) 256-2036

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/052/98