Science Spotlights

Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker was born on December 23, 1867. She was born Sarah Breedlove. She was the first child in her family born into freedom. She has left an orphan at the age of 6 after the death of both of her parents. Taken in by her sister and brother Moses McWilliams at the age of 14. Her husband died when she was only 20 years old. Sarah was initially introduced to hair care by her older brothers who were barbers in St. Louis. In 1904, she became an agent selling hair care products at the World's Fair. It was then that she adapted her knowledge of hair and hair care products. She later married Charles Joseph Walker and changed her name to Madam C.J. Walker. Her husband provided marketing and advertising advice to her as she began to train other women to become "beauty culturists". Together she and her husband traveled to expand her business. She became one of the greatest philanthropists and entrepreneurs of her time. After her death on May 25, 1919, she was considered to be the wealthiest African American woman in America and regarded as the first female self-made millionaire in America.