Black history fact #10

Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove (1867-1919), was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civil rights activist. Walker, the child of sharecroppers, became ofirst American women to become a self-made millionaire with her creation of specialized products for black hair. After suffering from a scalp ailment that resulted in the loss of most of her hair, she developed and began selling Madam C.J. Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp conditioning and healing formula, in 1905. Showcasing a savvy business acumen, Walker promoted her products by traveling around the country for over a year selling her products door to door and giving demonstrations of her products. A few years later, she built her own factory, a beauty salon, and a training school in Indianapolis. Walker was also known for her philanthropic endeavors, including donating $1000 toward the construction of an Indianapolis "colored" YMCA in 1913. At the time of her death in 1919, Walker's company was valued at $1 million dollars. Today, her company, now called the

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture

, continues her black beauty culture legacy in the 21st Century. In 1998, the United States Postal Service issued a Madam C.J. Walker stamp as part of its "Black Heritage" series.

Thank you Madam C.J. Walker for showing us the wealth of BLACK BEAUTY!