Madam C. J. Walker: The Incredible Journey of the First Female Self-made Millionaire in America
“I got my start by giving myself a start.” -Madam C. J. Walker
Madam C. J. Walker is fondly remembered as an African American Entrepreneur, Black America’s first female philanthropist, political and social activist. Her entrepreneurial zeal landed her in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first female self-made millionaire in America. She is known to be shrewd, hardworking, innovative, and courageous. She is said to be the greatest benefactor of her race. Papers reported her glorifying womanhood when she launched her line of cosmetics and hair care products which is used to date with the vision “Black is Beautiful”.
Early Years
Sarah Breedlove was born on December 23, 1867, in Louisiana to Mr. Owen Breedlove and Mrs. Minerva (Anderson) Breedlove as the first free child to the enslaved couple after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Sarah had an older sister, Louvenia, and four brothers: Alexander, James, Solomon, and Owen Jr. She was orphaned at the tender age of seven when her mother passed away likely from Cholera in 1872, and her father, the next year.
When she turned 10, she moved to live with her eldest sister Louvenia and her husband Jesse Powell who was cruel and abusive. To escape her brother-in-law’s unkind treatment, she married 22-year-old Moses McWilliams at the age of 14 and had a daughter Lelia McWilliams in June 1885.
She was widowed at the early age of 20, left with a 2-years daughter when circumstances pushed her to make her living by working as a washerwoman. She was barely able to meet ends but was headstrong to provide her daughter with formal education. The stress of her responsibilities and severe dandruff and scalp ailments made her suffer from baldness. She then learned about hair-care products from her brothers who were barbers in St. Louis. Later, she came in contact with Annie Malone, an African-American hair-care entrepreneur, and owner of the Poro Company for whom she became a commission agent selling her products. But, reaching out to Black Women’s hair needs then, was difficult as their community was completely ignored. But Sarah didn’t want to give up selling the products to the community. So, she started experimenting with new formulas on her own. She put her experience of working as a cook for a pharmacist at use and thus, began the journey of becoming a Pioneer in the Beauty Industry.
Meanwhile, Sarah did remarry but left her second husband John Davis because of unfaithfulness and unreliability. In 1906, she took Charles Joseph Walker, a newspaper advertising salesman as her third husband. This was the time when Madam C. J. Walker came into light and her husband became the first business partner for her hair-care venture C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company.
The Business Idea
It is often thought about what inspired Sarah to become Madame C.J. Walker and build her own company from scratch. The bitter hardship and struggles with hair loss herself- a common problem at the time due to infrequent washing became the very reason to give her a start to accomplish her dream. She said: "Don't sit down and wait for opportunities to come. Get up and make them".
Starting a business led by a Black Woman was full of obstacles at that time. But it didn’t let her stand down, she came up with a variety of products which included pomade, lotions, iron combs, and scalp preparations (which was called “The Walker Method”).
She started door-to-door selling giving it her personal touch and soon her hair grower products made her a fortune. She quoted “I am not satisfied in making money for myself. I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race”. Thus, the company employed thousands of female sales agents making them financially independent. BBC reported that by 1916, Walker had over 10,000 agents working for her.
Walker was in the business not only to make money but also, to uplift her people by helping them to be a change she envisioned to see in society. She helped women to style their hair and feel beautifully groomed. She opened the Lelia College of Beauty Culture, a school named for her daughter that trained women to join the Beauty industry. She traveled across the United States to develop and expand her business. Thus, helping thousands of African-American women with career opportunities and growth who else, would be confined to being cooks, maids, washerwomen, or working on farmlands. They could now be economically independent working women who could feel beautiful along with working at par with men and having a sense of equality.
What made her Successful
Even in the early 20th Century, Walker knew how to reach the masses. Her personal touch was already doing miracles but, to make sure the popularity of her products remains intact; she launched the packaging with her image on it. She understood the role of advertising in business and focused to remain on the front pages of African-American newspapers and magazines enhancing her brand awareness. In addition to this, she frequently traveled across the United States for the promotion of her product line.
Philanthropy & Social Activism
Walker’s success pumped her with the courage to voice her opinions. She addressed National Negro Business League (NNBL) and talked about her journey as a businesswoman how she started from cotton fields of the South and built a factory and a business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations. Thus, inspiring countless women to adopt economic independence.
She gave back to society by donating to organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and African American Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). She pledged donations to NAACP’s anti-lynching fund. She also contributed to Scholarship funds in many African American schools & colleges and helped fund many with retirement homes and orphanages.
Her Legacy after Death
At the age of 51, on May 25, 1919, Walker bid farewell to this world. The cause of her death was kidney failure and hypertension.
The net worth of her business at the time of her death was about $500,000. Along with this, she had several other properties. The most celebrated was “Villa Lewaro” in Westchester County, New York designed by African American architect Vertner Tandy which has been selected as a National Historic Landmark by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
She left her business to her only daughter Lelia, who took care of it until her death. The company shut down in 1981 but, in 2016 Sundial Brands, a skincare and haircare company along with Sephora launched a product line titled "Madam C. J. Walker Beauty Culture,” which includes four collections and claim to use natural ingredients to care for different types of hair. Hence, honoring her legacy.
Television & Filming
Walker’s life has influenced many who joined her journey and remain a symbol of greatness and strength. Filmmakers haven’t left a chance to capture this glory. “Two Dollars and a Dream” by Stanley Nelson is the first film that talks about Madame C.J. Walker's life. Further, “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker” is another adaptation of her inspirational journey. It is a 4-episode series depicting her lifestyle based on a book written by her great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles.
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