Beulah Louise Henry was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Walter R. Henry and Beulah Fitzgerald Henry. Her early life on a plantation instilled in her a resourcefulness and an observant nature that likely contributed to her later inventive career. It laid the foundation for her future curiosity and problem-solving abilities.

At the age of 25, Henry received her first patent for a vacuum ice cream freezer. This invention showcased her early understanding of thermodynamics and her ability to apply scientific principles to improve everyday household items. This was a critical turning point in her life, marking the start of her journey as an inventor.