Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1778–1853) 
Catholic benefactor
Born into slavery in Haiti, Toussaint master brought him to New York in 1787. There Toussaint achieved notoriety as a hairdresser to the wealthy. His master's wife granted him freedom upon her death. Toussaint purchased the freedom of his future bride, another Haitian slave, and together they worked for and supported New York charities for orphans and refugees.
Photo courtesy of Haiti Program, Trinity College, Washington, D.C.
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