Madam C.J. Walker aka Sarah Breedlove (December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) is said to be one of twentieth centuries’ first self-made women millionaires and possibly one of the most successful Black women ever. She changed her name when she married her third husband, Charles J. Walker. The daughter of slaves and orphaned at age 7, Madam C.J. Walker was known for becoming an entrepreneur, philanthropist and an activist. At first, she worked in the fields and later got promoted to being a washer.
Along her life journey, she got exposed to a better way of life and decided to pursue just that. But first, she needed to determine her next step for a scalp ailment she was experiencing. Her hair began to fall out. Inspired from a dream, she created Madam C.J. Walker Wonderful Hair Grower. This was just the beginning of her new business Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company. At one point she and her daughter moved to Denver, Colorado. Over time, her business encompassed a manufacturing factory for her product line, hair salon, beauty school where she trained well over 20,000 sales people to go door to door, and a laboratory for research. Madam C.J. Walker also taught others how to start their own businesses while teaching the principles of being financially independent.
“I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations….I have built my own factory on my own ground.”
Madam Walker, National Negro Business League Convention, July 1912
