Meet the Müse - Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919) was the first self-made female millionaire. She was the founder of a black women's beauty company named ‘Madame C.J Walker's Wonderful Hairgrower’ - the products of which were so effective they had immediate success.

Born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana to freed slaves. Her tumultuous childhood left her orphaned at age 7 and married at age 14 to escape an abusive brother-in-law, she said. She became a mother at age 17. When she was 20, her husband was horrifically killed by a white lynch mob. She then moved to Missouri to become a laundress; it was during this time that she noticed her hair starting to fall out.

Reportedly, she had a dream where a man came to her and told her what ingredients to put into a special hair mixture. Part of this secret recipe was supposedly African ingredients, making it unique to anything available at the time. 

She noticed that when she applied this mixture to her hair it was effective in regrowing it. When she shared this with friends, it was equally as successful for them.

Madam Walker became an influential figure who used her wealth and business to provide jobs to other women

She was encouraged by a friend to start her own business and it immediately took off. She changed her name to Madam C.J. Walker after her husband's name Charles Joseph Walker and to give her business a name and products more of a ‘professional’ edge.

As there was no reliable distribution network, she had to sell her products by knocking on doors. Madam C.J. Walkers products eventually became famous for their efficacy and for her personal touch, including putting her face on every tin.

As her business grew, she sought to hire women to foster a sense of self-worth and to prove to the world that women could do anything. She was part of many philanthropist and equality activist groups and worked hard to ensure her employees had the best resources to excel in life.

Walker established a network of schools that trained women to join the cosmetics industry. This opened a new industry of jobs for women who had very few options back then. By 1916, Walker reportedly had over 10,000 employees working for her.

Despite what must have been an incredibly challenging life before her great success, she was a true visionary and passionate entrepreneur- she said:

“I had to make my own living and own opportunity, but I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunity to come. Get up and make them.”

You can still find her products available today:

Hair | Madam C.J. Walker