During slavery, African-American women had a difficult time managing their hair because they were forced to work hard in the blazing sun; and there was no time left for them to focus on maintaining healthy hair styles.
The majority of women of color bunched their hair under rags because they had to work on plantations for long hours, and they couldn’t focus on fussing over or styling their hair.
Sarah Breedlove, an African-American woman and the free daughter of two former slaves, discovered a new formula for black hair care after researching for an entire year. “The Wonderful Hair Grower” was the first product she marketed and sold.
In 1906 Sarah Breedlove changed her name to Madam C.J. Walker, and began promoting healthy ways for women of color to grow and style their hair.
The Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company was founded, and provided work opportunities for thousands of women of color. The company paid its workers higher wages than other major companies of its time.
By 1917, Madam C.J. Walker owned the largest African-American business in America, and she quickly became the first African-American female millionaire; which was noted in the Guinness Book of Records.
From the moment Madam C.J. Walker noticed the hair loss and breakage of her own hair and that of other women of color, to the creation of her mega-company and ultimately to her death in 1919; she devoted her life to helping women of color grow and beautify their hair.
Madam C.J. Walker was determined to educate and empower women of color by teaching them simple ways to care for their otherwise neglected hair. She was also determined to achieve personal success, and to help many others achieve success; regardless of where they all started out.
“There is no royal, flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life, it is because I have been willing to work hard.” – Madam C.J. Walker
Danielle M. Biggs
High School Student
Trustee & Administrative Assistant ~ Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc. This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at www.examiner.com.
Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org
"Children are the globe's most precious commodity." (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)
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