In honor of Women’s History Month, we are looking at some fascinating women who made a mark and a change in this world. Let’s look at this Woman of Wonder, Madam C.J. Walker.
Not only was she an outstanding entrepreneur, but she made accomplishments unheard of for the times in which she lived. Born in 1867 to parents who had been slaves, Sarah Breedlove was the first person born free in her family. She married Charles Joseph Walker and became known as Madam C. J. Walker, a familiar name still used on haircare merchandises today.
In the Beginning
Madam Walker had brothers who were barbers which came in handy when she began having hair loss. After spending time talking with them, she created a formula that healed scalp infections. Later she started her own line of haircare products such as Wonderful Hair Grower and Scalp Ointment.
An Entrepreneur
She was an entrepreneur. Her haircare goods helped grow and smooth hair, prevent baldness, and reduce dandruff. She was able to provide jobs to thousands of women who went door-to-door across the United States and the Caribbean. Because of her inventiveness, she became the first female African-American millionaire.
Philanthropy
Madam C.J. Walker was a strong supporter of the African American community. She made a $1000 donation to a new YMCA building in Indianapolis. She funded scholarships for Tuskegee Institute and Daytona Normal Institute for Girls. She also became a supporter of the Harlem Renaissance arts.
All About Madam C.J. Walker 
All About Madam C.J. Walker is about this remarkable woman and the way she helped change and shape the world. This book by A’Lelia Bundles, the great-great granddaughter of Madam Walker, will inspire young readers and older readers alike even as the woman herself inspired many.
The Author
A’Lelia Bundles is chairman of the board of the Foundation for the National Archives, a vice chairman of Columbia University’s board of trustees, a member of the advisory boards of the Indiana
Historical Society’s publication committee, and of the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Madam C. J. Walker and lives in Washington, D. C.
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Blue River Press has more than 100 books and e-books in print and is distributed nationally by Cardinal Publishers Group.
Happy Reading,
Ginger Bock 