Madam C. J. Walker wore many hats: She was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist.
Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919), known as the first female self-made millionaire in America, made her fortune thanks to her homemade line of hair care products for Black women. Born Sarah Breedlove to parents who had been enslaved, she was inspired to create her hair products after an experience with hair loss, which led to the creation of the “Walker system” of hair care.
Walker was inspired to create haircare products for Black women after a scalp disorder caused her to lose much of her own hair. She came up with a treatment that would completely change the Black hair care industry.
Walker’s method, known as the “Walker system,” involved scalp preparation, lotions and iron combs. Her custom pomade was wildly successful. While other products for Black hair (largely manufactured by white businesses) were on the market, she differentiated hers by emphasizing its attention to the health of the women who would use it. She sold her homemade products directly to Black women, using a personal approach that won her loyal customers. She went on to employ a fleet of saleswomen to sell the product whom she called “beauty culturalists.”
Villa Lewaro, Walker's lavish estate in Irvington, New York, served as a social gathering place for the African-American community. And, as her business and wealth grew, so did her advocacy work. She used her platform to promote racial equity and empower women to gain financial independence. Famously saying: “Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come … get up and make them!”
The self-made millionaire used her fortune to fund scholarships for women at the Tuskegee Institute and donated large parts of her wealth to the NAACP, the Black YMCA and other charities.
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