BCR Leading Ladies: Madam C.J. Walker
“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
Natioal Negro Business League Convention1912
Madame C.J. Walker’s rise to notariety was the first Black female millionaire who started an empire in hair care for Black women. Her life is certainly an inspiration to women in business, regardless of their race or culture and is an example of what great ideas can do for you. Her story shows us that we can rise to unimaginable heights, if we just focus and set our sights high.
The hair care business in the African-American culture is very lucrative, very competitive and is a significant part of the heritage in Black society. Walker started with nothing more than a “straightening” comb and hair care products that were designed to help Black women manage their hair better. Her immediate rise to millionaire status came as a result of the transformation that Madame Walker’s hair care products did for women of color. She basically saw a need, filled a need and reaped the benefits of her ideas. But, Walker’s fame doesn’t stop there. She is also known for generous nature as a philanthropist:
“Walker was also known for her philanthropy, leaving two-thirds of her estate to educational institutions and charities including the NAACP, the Tuskegee Institute and Bethune-Cookman College. In 1919, her $5,000 pledge to the NAACP’s anti-lynching campaign was the largest gift the organization had ever received.”
In honor of February’s Black history month, I want to challenge women, all women - - women of color, whether they are African-American or not. I want to challenge you today to see something in Madame CJ Walker that you can perhaps mimic in the way she did business. The one trait that I know that I will be using is the gift of giving. I think that we are not truly successful unless we can share that wealth and success with others. I believe that if I share what I have; money, time and information, that I will be successful as well. Not just in reaping money, but in the satisfaction of knowing that I have made my corner of the world, my culture and someone else’s life richer for having shared.
Thank you Madame Walker for being our example.
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8 opinions for BCR Leading Ladies: Madam C.J. Walker
Marijke
Feb 1, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Very interesting post. I’m going to go look up more on her right now. I never imagined someone like her existed - I just never thought of a female millionaire from that time, at least, not a self-made one.
Bridget Wright
Feb 4, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Marijke, a lot of women don’t know that they CAN become millionaires. Having examples like these really motivate us.
REECE
Feb 7, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I’m just say i can learn much about black women and what u can do i your life instead of just being around on the street with a job that u can barely make money off of.So,what people need to do is get their education finish school.
Kristen King
Feb 7, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Reece, I couldn’t agree with you more. But there are also women out there who don’t have a lot of education but have taught themselves the skills they need to be successful and have worked really hard. You don’t need a college degree to be a success in life if you’re willing to work, you know? But yes, kids, STAY IN SCHOOL. :) Seriously, it’s really, really hard to get anywhere these days without finishing high school or getting your GED. It’s not impossible, but it’s hard. If you’re an adult and wish you had finished high school, call your local HS or community college to find out about GED courses.
Kristen
lanaya
Apr 7, 2008 at 10:05 am
hey madam c.j walker is my hero thank you for ever thing u did for black people and yourself!!!!
Bridget Wright
Apr 9, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Lanaya, she did do a LOT for us as Black people. Without her example, a lot of women of color could not be successful in business, perhaps.
how did madam c j walker become a millionaire
May 3, 2008 at 1:24 am
[…] came as a result of the … hey madam c.j walker is my hero thank you for ever thing u did for …http://www.bizchicksrule.com/the-first-african-american-female-millionaire-madam-cj-walker/Madame C. J. Walker … work hard.??? Madame walker did not become a millionaire over night or by […]
Jamal Panhwar
Aug 31, 2008 at 10:11 am
This story is not just for black women it can be true for any woman who has a desire and who dreams. Most women depend on men and ddon’t utilise their energies.
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