Ann Person*

Born in Portland, Oregon, in 1924, Ann Person grew up in a small house built by her father. Her mother was a seamstress who taught her to sew at an early age. Person studied industrial sewing in high school, but majored in art at the University of Oregon. When World War II broke out, she interrupted her studies to join the U.S. Women's Army Corps. As a WAC, she taught painting in an Army convalescent hospital. After the war, she married and embarked on a series of disappointing business ventures with her husband.

Following a serious car accident that left her disabled for two years, Person took up sewing. She gave lessons and began experimenting with stretch-knit fabrics, which were just becoming popular. She developed a special technique for sewing knits and began designing patterns.

In 1967, Person opened her first Stretch & Sew store in Burns, Oregon, and wrote her first instructional book titled Stretch and Sew. Two years later, her program developed into a franchise. By the late 1970s, there were 353 Stretch & Sew stores nationwide. By 1983, knits were no longer a novelty, and blue jeans had replaced jogging suits as primary leisurewear.

Person eventually phased out the franchise concept in favor of independent store ownership. She also changed her distribution systems to make patterns, books, and notions identified with Stretch & Sew available through multiple retail channels. In 2004, she was inducted into the Sewing Hall of Fame.

When asked about her success, Person said, "I was willing to do whatever had to be done to be successful. I had drive, energy, determination, desire, and a positive attitude. I'm proud of my Horatio Alger Award and the personal success it symbolizes. You should accomplish whatever it is you are capable of. Use your God-given talents, and give something to the world that can be passed on to future generations."