Schary, Hope Skillman (1908–1981)

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Schary, Hope Skillman (1908–1981)

American business executive. Name variations: Hope Skillman; Mrs. Saul Schary. Born Hope Skillman in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Feb 16, 1908; died in New Milford, Connecticut, May 23, 1981; dau. of Frederic Cameron Skillman and Mary (Christie) Skillman; graduate of Goucher College, 1961; m. Saul Schary (artist), Dec 15, 1934.

Probably the 1st woman to own a textile-manufacturing company, was an associate editor at Parnassus magazine (1932–33) and The Fine Arts (1933–34), both in NY; as a textile designer, was assistant stylist with Ameritex division of Cohn-Hall-Marx Co. (1934–35), stylist (1935–39), and director (1939–42); founded Skillmill, Inc., a textile-manufacturing firm (1944), which employed only women for some years; remained the company's CEO until retirement (early 1960s); served as president of Fashion Group, Inc., an industry association of 5,000 women (1958–60) and as president of National Council of Women of the US (1970–72, 1976–78).

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