Madam CJ Walker

Madam CJ Walker put $1.25 into creating her own hair line, selling it door-to-door, at churches, and eventually a mail-order catalog.

Sarah Breedlove was born to two former slaves.

December 23, 1867

Madam CJ Walker

1905

Sarah begins using a hair growth product and becomes a sales agent for the company.

1904

Moved to St Louis Missouri and made $1.50 a day doing laundry.

1889

By the time Sarah was 7, she was an orphan working in a cotton field.

1874

Married Charles Joseph Walker and renamed herself Madam CJ Walker.

1905

Sarah gets married to John Davis and begins losing her hair.

1894

Sarah married Moses Williams at 14 years old and had her daughter Lelia

1881

Became the first African-American female millionaire.

During World War One, she was a member of a delegation to Washington protesting segregation policies.

Provided employment for thousands of black women.

Used her influence to speak out against the lynching of black men and women.

Created a gathering place for African-American leaders.

She set up a laboratory and beauty school in Indianapolis.

Traveled across the country teaching women how to use her hair products.

Madam CJ Walker became ill on a business trip and never recovered. She died May 25, 1919. Her legacy and products live on.

1919

Donated to churches, schools, and hospitals and encouraged her employees to do the same.

1910

The last ten

Madam CJ Walker