Walker, Madam C. J. (1867-1919), is generally regarded as the first African American woman to become a wealthy business owner. She operated a successful cosmetics company, the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Co., during the early 1900’s.
Madam Walker was born on Dec. 23, 1867, near Delta, Louisiana. Her given name was Sarah Breedlove. She was orphaned at the age of 7 and raised by her older sister. In 1881, Sarah married a man named Moses McWilliams. Her husband died in 1887, leaving her with one daughter. Around 1900, while working as a washerwoman in St. Louis, Missouri, she developed and started selling a line of hair care products. In 1905, Sarah moved to Denver, Colorado, where she met and married Charles J. Walker, a newspaperman.
Sarah Walker began demonstrating and selling her hair care products door-to-door in African American communities. She trained women to establish their own businesses for selling her hair products and other cosmetics. These “Walker Agents” dressed in white blouses and long black skirts. They became well-known throughout the Black communities of the United States and the Caribbean. In 1910, Walker moved to Indianapolis, where she established a manufacturing plant.
Walker increased her wealth through real estate investments. She was a philanthropist who gave generously to causes that aided African Americans. She willed two-thirds of her estate to charitable and educational institutions. She died on May 25, 1919.
