Virtuous Woman: Madam C. J. Walker
At Virtue we have an affinity for virtuous women, and Madam C. J. Walker, as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, activist, and patron of the arts, tops the list of inspiring women.
“I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations….I have built my own factory on my own ground.” — Madam C. J. Walker, July 1912
A pioneer in the haircare industry, Madam C. J. Walker, became the first female self-made millionaire in America.
As a result of early hair loss in the late 1890’s Walker set out to find a remedy for black women suffering similar hair issues stemming from stress, poor nutrition, and hygiene as a result of the times lack of indoor plumbing and electricity. She consulted her four barber brothers and began experimenting at home while selling haircare products for Annie Turbo Malone, a future competitor of Madam C. J. Walker haircare.
“Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. You have to get up and make them for yourself!” − Madam C. J. Walker
In 1906, with the help of a Denver pharmacist, she created her Wonderful Hair Grower system, a scalp conditioning and healing formula, and later opened the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company to produce and distribute her products across America.
“I am endeavoring to provide employment for hundreds of women of my race.” − Madam C. J. Walker (1914)
She began by traveling the southern states selling door-to-door and soon after began training women across the country in the Walker System of Hair Culture — some reports stating she trained up to 40,000 female brand ambassadors.
“There is no royal flower strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for whatever success I have attained has been the result of much hard work and many sleepless nights.”
We are endlessly inspired and in awe of Madame C. J. Walkers perseverance, entrepreneurial drive, and business acumen. We are grateful for the doors she opened to female entrepreneurs and for investing in culture. She changed the path for generations following her.
And we’ll end this with one of her simplest, yet most inspiring quotes.
“I got my start by giving myself a start!” − Madam C.J. Walker (1917)
How have you been inspired by Madam C. J. Walker?
To read more about Madam C. J. Walker visit http://www.madamcjwalker.com created by her great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles.