Who was Madam CJ Walker?

In her own words:

"I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the south. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations..."-- Madam CJ Walker, speaking to National Negro Business League Convention 1912.

Walker lived a short life but she left her mark. Born in 1867, dead by 1919, the woman known as Madam CJ Walker was born Sarah Breedlove. Her parents were former slaves. She was orphaned at 7 when her parents succumbed to yellow fever. She worked the cotton fields. She suffered mistreatment at the hands of a relative and married to escape the abuse.

But as hard as her life was, Walker didn't give up -- she moved up. Losing her hair from a scalp condition in the 1890s, she developed a scalp conditioning and hair growth product from an idea that came to her in a dream. Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower transformed her into an entrepreneur. She opened a manufacturing plant, operated the Lelia College for Walker Hair Culturists in Pittsburgh, then moved to Indianapolis where she opened another beauty and manicure salon and another training school.

She changed her name from Sarah Breedlove to Madam CJ Walker when she married her third husband, Charles Joseph Walker, who was a partner in her business. The choice of the name reflected her desire to be treated with respect and not referred to as "Aunt," or by her first name alone as was customary for white people addressing blacks.

As a business leader, CJ became influential in her community. Among other accomplishments:

- She contributed to the building of a "colored" YMCA.

- She presented a petition demanding federal anti-lynching legislation to the White House.

- She made a substantial contribution to the effort to preserve Frederick Douglass' home.

- She became a millionaire.

- She lectured on issues of importance to the black community, including the service of black men in World War I.

- On her death, her will made substantial bequests to black educational and social institutions.

Married three times, Madam Walker gave birth to one daughter, Lelia. Lelia grew up to host a prominent salon during the Harlem Renaissance.

Walker died of kidney failure at age 51. She is remembered as one of the most influential business women of her time, not merely one of the most influential black women.