Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, was an African American entrepreneur and social activist who is widely recognized as the first Black woman self-made female millionaire in America. Walker became one of the wealthiest Black women in America in the early 20th century by developing a successful line of hair care products for black women.

Born on December 23, 1867 in Delta, Louisiana Madam Walker faced many challenges in her early life, including the loss of both her parents by the age of seven. She married at the age of 14 and became a widow at 20 with her young daughter Leila to support. Determined to provide a better life for herself and her daughter she moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she worked as a laundress and cook. While working, Walker and several of the women she worked with began experiencing severe hair loss. Because of this, she became interested in hair care products and the science behind them. She started developing her own hair care formula and began selling it door-to-door. She also trained a network of sales agents to sell her products, many of whom were also Black women, and provided them with business opportunities and support. She eventually founded the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company to produce and distribute her hair care products, Walker's business grew rapidly and she became widely popular among the community.

In 1905, Madam Walker moved to Denver, Colorado, where she continued to develop her hair care line and opened a beauty school to train other black women in the business. She also traveled extensively to promote her products and expand her business across the country. In 1910, she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where she established the headquarters of her company, the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company.

Walker's business acumen, marketing savvy, and dedication to her customers propelled her to become one of the wealthiest women in America, and she used her wealth to support numerous charitable causes, including educational scholarships and donations to the NAACP. Walker also played an important role in the women's right movement and was a frequent speaker at women's clubs and conventions. Madam C.J. Walker passed away in 1919, but her legacy as a trailblazing entrepreneur and social activist has continued to inspire generations of women and people of color to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.