MADAME C.J. WALKER 1867 - 1919
"Born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867 on a Delta, Louisiana plantation, this daughter of former
slaves transformed herself from an uneducated farm laborer and laundress into of the twentieth century's
most successful, self-made women entrepreneur.
Thought to be America's first black female millionaire, this daughter of ex-slaves was orphaned at 7,
working at 10, married at 14, and a widow with an infant daughter at 20. She worked as a domestic and
laundress and later sold hair-care products. In her scant spare time she experimented and developed
(1905) an ointment and system to stop hair loss in African-American women and create smooth, shiny
coiffures. In 1906 she moved to Denver, married newspaperman Charles J. Walker, and adopted Madam C.
J. Walker as her business name. She expanded her product line, notably with a “pressing comb,” and the
two began selling her wares door-to-door. They proved so successful that she was able to hire
saleswomen and to open stores and a beauty college. She moved (1910) her factory to Indianapolis and
herself (1913) to Harlem, where she separated from her husband. Within a few years she had created a
cosmetics empire and earned a fortune. An honored figure in business and philanthropy, she endowed
educational institutions and supported many organizations to aid the African-American community. Her
daughter, A'delia Walker,. 1885–1931, b. Vicksburg, Miss., as Lelia McWilliams, was a well-known cultural
figure in the 1920s, maintaining a salon attended by many members of the Harlem Renaissance.
Tenacity and perseverance, faith in herself and in God, quality products and "honest business dealings"
were the elements and strategies she prescribed for aspiring entrepreneurs who requested the secret to
her rags-to-riches ascent. "There is no royal flower-strewn path to success," she once commented. "And if
there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to
work hard."
For a more complete story about Mrs. Walker visit http://www.madamecjwalker.com/mwstory.html
"Born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867 on a Delta, Louisiana plantation, this daughter of former
slaves transformed herself from an uneducated farm laborer and laundress into of the twentieth century's
most successful, self-made women entrepreneur.
Thought to be America's first black female millionaire, this daughter of ex-slaves was orphaned at 7,
working at 10, married at 14, and a widow with an infant daughter at 20. She worked as a domestic and
laundress and later sold hair-care products. In her scant spare time she experimented and developed
(1905) an ointment and system to stop hair loss in African-American women and create smooth, shiny
coiffures. In 1906 she moved to Denver, married newspaperman Charles J. Walker, and adopted Madam C.
J. Walker as her business name. She expanded her product line, notably with a “pressing comb,” and the
two began selling her wares door-to-door. They proved so successful that she was able to hire
saleswomen and to open stores and a beauty college. She moved (1910) her factory to Indianapolis and
herself (1913) to Harlem, where she separated from her husband. Within a few years she had created a
cosmetics empire and earned a fortune. An honored figure in business and philanthropy, she endowed
educational institutions and supported many organizations to aid the African-American community. Her
daughter, A'delia Walker,. 1885–1931, b. Vicksburg, Miss., as Lelia McWilliams, was a well-known cultural
figure in the 1920s, maintaining a salon attended by many members of the Harlem Renaissance.
Tenacity and perseverance, faith in herself and in God, quality products and "honest business dealings"
were the elements and strategies she prescribed for aspiring entrepreneurs who requested the secret to
her rags-to-riches ascent. "There is no royal flower-strewn path to success," she once commented. "And if
there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to
work hard."
For a more complete story about Mrs. Walker visit http://www.madamecjwalker.com/mwstory.html
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| we can't forget |
SARAH SPENCER WASHINGTON 1889 - 1953
"Madame Washington" as she was widely known, was a millionaire black businesswoman and
founder of Apex News & Hair Company of Atlantic City. She was born in 1889 and died in 1953. In
1913 she started a hairdressing business in Atlantic City, operating a salon, teaching students
and developing beauty products. In 1920 she founded the Apex News and Hair Company,
maintaining a lab in Atlantic City as well as an office in New York City. Eventually her beauty
colleges were located in twelve states and there were 35,000 agents all over the world. Ms.
Washington has been called one of the most important business executives in the black
community. After Ms. Washington’s death, her daughter, Joan Cross Washington led the
company until it was sold.
"Madame Washington" as she was widely known, was a millionaire black businesswoman and
founder of Apex News & Hair Company of Atlantic City. She was born in 1889 and died in 1953. In
1913 she started a hairdressing business in Atlantic City, operating a salon, teaching students
and developing beauty products. In 1920 she founded the Apex News and Hair Company,
maintaining a lab in Atlantic City as well as an office in New York City. Eventually her beauty
colleges were located in twelve states and there were 35,000 agents all over the world. Ms.
Washington has been called one of the most important business executives in the black
community. After Ms. Washington’s death, her daughter, Joan Cross Washington led the
company until it was sold.
we recoginze the many business women who blazed trails in our industry. without their pioneering efforts,
mixed chicks could not be realized.
mixed chicks could not be realized.
| MIXED CHICKS ® |
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