Thomas James was a freedom seeker, who escaped enslavement and used the Underground Railroad to move to Seneca Falls, New York in the 1830s. James was an active member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Seneca Falls. The Wesleyan Church is owned by the Women’s Rights NHP. It was a meeting place for women’s rights activists and anti-slavery activists. Thomas became a very successful businessman in Seneca Falls. He was a real estate developer and a barber. In the 19th Century, women were supposed to keep their hair long, but men went to barbers to cut their hair short. In the 19th Century, homeopathic specialists thought that short hair might be better for one’s health. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was interested in homeopathic medicines. Elizabeth was also a proponent of the dress reform movement. Dress reformers believed that women should have practical clothing like men. They wore bloomer dresses, which were inspired by the tunic and leggings that Haudenosaunee women wore. The bloomer dresses were easier to move around in than the corset and petticoats worn under women’s dresses. Elizabeth wanted a men’s haircut. Homeopathic specialists said it would improve her health. A shortened haircut would also simplify Elizabeth’s routine. She would not have to do her long hair every morning or brush it out at night. Elizabeth and some dress reformers went to Thomas’s barbershop to get their haircut in 1852. In total, Thomas cut over a dozen women’s hair in 1852. As a prominent businessman, Thomas risked upsetting his men customers. The customers might be offended that Thomas cut women’s hair and stop going to Thomas’s barbershop. Thomas believed in equal rights, so he cut the women’s hair. Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote an article complimenting Thomas’s work in the Lily, an activist magazine published by Amelia Bloomer. Amelia Bloomer popularized the Bloomer dress. Thomas James is not a household name like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Amelia Bloomer. Thomas used his skills as a barber to fight for women’s equality.