Contents
Madam C. J. Walker
Building a hair-care business that created economic opportunities for Black women.
Walker products · Beauty schools
- Born
- 23 December 1867
- Birthplace
- Delta, Louisiana, United States
- Died
- 25 May 1919
More people
Madam C. J. Walker
Madam C. J. Walker was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who developed a national network of sales agents.
Early life
Sarah Breedlove
Was born after emancipation to parents who had been enslaved.
Early hardship
Worked as a laundress and raised a daughter before entering the beauty business.
Career
- 1900s
Hair-care business
Developed and marketed products for Black women.
- 1910
Indianapolis base
Established a factory and expanded training and sales operations.
- 1910s
National network
Built a large agent network and increased her philanthropy.
Business & contributions
Walker products
Marketed hair-care preparations and a grooming system.
Beauty schools
Trained women to run businesses and sell products.
Agents’ convention
Brought her sales network together for business and civic organising.
Beyond business
Civil rights
Supported the NAACP and anti-lynching efforts.
Philanthropy
Funded educational and community organisations.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Addison Norton Scurlock / Adam Cuerden. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
