Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker, also known as Sarah Breedlove, was an amazing entrepreneur and philanthropist. She was born in Louisiana in 1867 and spent most of her life in poverty as a sharecropper with her parents.
In the early 1900s, Madam CJ Walker created and marketed a line of hair care products for African-American women. Her products became popular and she quickly became a successful businesswoman.
Here are some interesting facts about the life of Madam CJ Walker:
1. She was the first self-made female millionaire in America. Although there were other wealthy African-Americans in the early 1900s, none of them were women.
2. Madam CJ Walker’s hair care products were made with natural ingredients that were gentle on the hair. This was important for African-American women who had been using harsh chemicals to straighten their hair.
3. She was a pioneer in creating a direct sales business model. Madam CJ Walker employed thousands of women to sell her products door-to-door, which allowed them to earn a commission on their sales.
4. As her business grew, Madam CJ Walker became a philanthropist and helped fund educational and social causes. She donated money to the NAACP, YMCA, and Tuskegee Institute.
5. Madam CJ Walker’s life story inspired a Netflix Original series called “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker”, starring Octavia Spencer.