Essay On Madam Dj Walker

Madam C.J. Walker: The Woman who changed African American hair care
Madam C.J Walker (originally known as Sarah Breedlove) decided that it was time to make a change in the way that African American women took care of their hair. She was born on December 23, 1867, in Delta, Louisiana where her parents (Owen and Minera Breedlove) had been slaves before the civil war. She was also the first in her family to be born free. Early in her life, she suffered many hardships but she persevered. At age seven, an outbreak of yellow fever claimed the lives of both her parents.
At age seventeen she gave birth to her daughter A’lelia. After her daughter’s second birthday, her husband was suddenly killed, leaving Sarah as a widow at only the age of 20. Life took a toll on her, and she decided that it was time for a new

change in her life. With a baby on her hip and a boat ticket in her hand, she left Pittsburgh and began to start a new life in St. Louis.
When she arrived in St.louis in 1888, she headed for the cities black communities where 35,000 people were supporting three weekly newspapers and 100 businesses. By the time A’lelia graduated from high school, her proud mother was able to send her to an all-black institution in Knoxville, Tennesee. During the 1890’s Sarah began to suffer from a horrible scalp ailment that caused her to lose most of her hair. After discussing with her brothers about what products could best work for her, she began to experiment with different pomades for her hair. By the 20th century in America, slavery had severely damaged black pride; and when it pertained to black women and their hair styles, their source of beauty was limited and often imitated white women hairstyles. In 1905 she discovered a hair product that enabled her to help African American women with certain hair conditions. Which later evolved in her establishing her own product lines to transcend the way black women styled and cared for their hair.
As the years went by Sarah began to observe the mannerisms and fashions of the educated black women at the church she attended. Never letting go of her endless faith, Sarah, came across a luxurious, educated, African American woman by the name of Margaret Murray that was well-known as the wife of Booker T. Washington. Her inspiring speech and deluxe appearance influenced Sarah to start up her own business.
Once again, she packed her belongings and headed for a new frontier in Denver, and that’s when her success started.

In 1905 she invented her hair softener and a special straightening comb for black women. Madam Walker wanted to influence black women to take greater pride in their personal appearance, and to give their hair proper attention. Her products promoted inner an outer beauty. To be beautiful she said: “it does not refer alone to the arrangement of the hair, to the perfection of the complexion, to be beautiful one must combine these qualities with the beautiful mind and soul”(Madam CJ Walker quotes pg.1) Over the course of her career, she decided to open up a hair school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania so that her agents could strive to become prosperous in their careers. In 1910 she decided to move her business to Indianapolis, Indiana where she built a large factory. She then traveled the country building cosmetic empires made up of women who sold and distributed her products. Walker invested her profits into her businesses to build it up. In 1914, her gross income from earnings was over a million dollars, making her the first self-made

millionaire.
It wasn’t just about hair care products or styling hair, it became about economic independence. Hair care products became a mean to empower woman so that they too could have the ability to support their families and to educate their children.
Walker was desirous about activism, including empowering African American woman. In 1917, she organized a trade convention which was one of the first national meetings of businesswomen in the country. In her keynotes speech, she said: “I want you as walker agents to show the world that you care not just about yourself, but about others”. At the end of the convention, the women sent a telegram to President Woodrow Wilson urging him to support legislation to make lynching a federal crime. She wanted them to use their power, money, and influence to make a difference in society.
In conclusion, it’s essential for African American women to carry themselves with dignity because many people stereotype African Americans to be lethargic. Madam strived for women of color to feel confident about themselves, never settling for less but always strive for excellence. Through her outstanding leadership, Madam CJ Walker never failed to make that known upon her peers.

References
1. Bundles, A (1996). Madam CJ Walker. American history, 31(3), 42
2. (Gunderson, 2009)