Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos
The Life, Love, and Business Success of Kermit B. Hill
Greater Ville Press
Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos tells the extraordinary true story of Kermit B. Hill, an African American woman who broke racial and gender barriers in mid-20th century America to become a pioneering entrepreneur and beloved community leader.
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Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos: The Life, Love, and Business Success of Kermit B. Hill
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Kermit B. Hill
Read About
Kermit B. Hill Story
Meet Kermit— a woman with an unforgettable name and an even more remarkable story. Rising from the segregated South, she shattered barriers of race and gender to carve an unexpected path that changed her community forever.
From guarding wartime secrets at the Pentagon to implementing a revolutionary, culturally affirming approach to early childhood education, Kermit's life was defined by resilience, vision, and service.
The book’s vivid storytelling delves into Kermit’s early days—her struggle with the stress of her husband serving overseas, the wartime career opportunities she seized as a woman, and the joy she found blowing off steam dancing the Lindy Hop at local juke joints.
Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos
Tiny Tot Nursery School of St. Louis, Inc.
Through this creative biography, readers will relive Tiny Tot’s Royal King and Queen Coronations,
Tom Thumb Weddings, Cap and Gown Graduations, Fashion Shows, and other creative performances, where children developed confidence, leadership, and public speaking skills. These captivating stories demonstrate how early exposure to performing arts and community engagement empowered preschoolers to grow into self-assured, capable young individuals.
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Hill's 25th Wedding Anniversary
(l-r) Augustus Jr., Francene, Hugh, Kermit, Augustus, Patrice
Tiny Tots in
Tiaras and Tuxedos
Told by her daughter, Francene M. D. Hill, who grew up immersed in the school’s daily life, Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos: The Love, Life, and Business Success of Kermit B. Hill brings her mother's authentic voice to life. Through intimate letters, rare photographs, newspaper clippings, and carefully preserved archives, the narrative weaves together Kermit’s actual words, private thoughts, and vivid memories to create an immersive reading experience. This creative biography reveals the untold story of a woman whose influence reached far beyond what anyone imagined possible.
Perfect for readers who appreciate stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, and family legacy, this book celebrates the power of vision, determination, and love to create lasting change.
Meet the Author
Francene Mary Diane Hill grew up surrounded by the energy and purpose of the Tiny Tot Nursery School, founded by her mother, Kermit Hill. Over the decades, Francene worked in every role at Tiny Tot—from teacher’s assistant to bus driver—before serving as Board Member and Assistant Director.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Smith College and an M.S. in Human and Family Studies from Penn State University.
Her passion for storytelling has taken her to open mics, book readings, and book festivals, including The Moth StorySLAM in Washington, DC. She has been featured in Sisters of AARP Magazine, the St. Louis Public Library’s Digital Collection, and on multiple stages sharing her mother’s inspiring legacy.
Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos is her tribute to Kermit’s groundbreaking achievements and enduring community impact.
