Be determined to succeed in life, regardless of where you start out ~ A Teen Girl’s Perspective

Photo: Copyright http://www.madamcjwalker.com/

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)

Determination leads to decision making that spans across decades

Photo: Copyright http://www.asalh.org/woodsonbiosketch.html

What might drive a 20 year old son of two former slaves to begin studying formally; and then go on to earn a high school diploma, undergraduate degree, graduate degree, and doctoral degree by the age of 37?

Sheer determination and an unwavering ability to "stick with it" and not give up despite the odds.

It was that same determination which led Carter G. Woodson to become only the second African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, followed by the application and sharing of his knowledge with the world about the accomplishments of blacks.

Dr. Woodson, also known as “The Father of Black History,” in 1926 led Black America and all of America in the significant adoption of Negro History Week; later to be called Black History Month, which is an annual February celebration of the lineage and societal contributions made by people of African descent.

Being a radical and out-of-the-box thinker, mover, and shaker meant that Dr. Woodson had both supporters and opponents of his views and actions.

The supporters provided encouragement to Dr. Woodson in the continuation of his efforts; and the opposition did not derail his determination to make long-term, data-driven decisions that have spanned across decades and cultures throughout the world.

As current day change agents influence transformations in varying realms and environments, being reminded of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s “legacy of determination” can serve to fuel dreams, thoughts, ideas, and decisions which may also encounter degrees of opposition; but if carried out will span across decades during the 21st Century.

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 http://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)