Noted in history for becoming the first woman, black or white to earn a million dollars and as a role model for the successful American businesswoman, Madam C.J. Walker lived a life true to her own philosophy:
"There is no royal flower strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for whatever success I have attained has been the result of much hard work and many sleepless nights...I got my start by giving myself a start. So don't sit and wait for the opportunities to come. You have to get up and make them for yourself!" (Profiles in Pride, Wal-Mart, 2005).
Madam C.J. Walker was born on a Louisiana plantation in 1867 as Sarah Breedlove. Hard work and determination transformed her from a laborer to successful businesswoman and entrepreneur at the time of her death in 1919.
During the 1890's, Sarah developed a scalp condition that caused her to lose her own hair. Claiming that the formula was revealed to her in a dream, she created a scalp conditioning and healing formula. Marketing the product as "Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower," she founded her own business. As the business grew, she established a network of sales agents, a factory, salons and training schools. In 1917, she facilitated the Madam C.J. Walker Hair Culturists Union, which is recognized today as one of the first national meetings of businesswomen in the United States.
Madam C.J. Walker was a groundbreaker within the hair care and cosmetics industry as well as in women's business. Her legacy continues to create opportunity and hope for the Black community and all women and is kept alive by her great-great grandaughter, A'Leila Bundles. Bundles' website, Madam C.J. Walker provides a resource for students researching Madam Walker's story. Bundles also spearheaded the 1998 campaign toward the U.S. Postal Service's commemorative Black History Month stamp honoring Walker and is a member of the board of the Madam Walker Theatre Center in Indianapolis.
Madam C.J. Walker's life is the story of determined, hard-working woman who literally lived her dream.
Read more on Bella's Hair Care site:
Madame C.J. Walker, A Pioneer in Black Hair Care
May all your dreams come true!
Parthena Black is a professional social worker and ordained minister with experience in tarot and runes. For private spiritual counseling and intuitive readings via e-mail, please visit her at oymygoddess.com.
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