Judy's Square

Most people recognize Tippi Hedren from her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 movie The Birds. Some may remember she’s Melanie Griffith’s mom. But I suspect most of us are unaware of what may be her greatest contribution. About forty years ago the actress visited a Vietnamese refugee camp in California, looking for ways to help people who’d lost everything to war. “We were trying to find vocations for them,” she says. “I loved these women so much that I wanted something good to happen for them. I brought in seamstresses and typists - any way for them to learn something.” The women were mesmerized by Tippi’s long, beautiful nails. She flew in her own manicurist to teach them to do Hollywood nails. Today Vietnamese Americans dominate the industry. More than half of America’s nail technicians (80% in California) are of Vietnamese descent. Moral of the story: Never underestimate the butterfly effect of a single act of love.