#OTD: Celebrating the Birth of Madam C. J. Walker, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, in 1867
Description
On this day, Dec. 23, in 1867, Madam C. J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, entered the world on a plantation in Delta, Louisiana, to formerly enslaved parents. Orphaned at age seven and working as a domestic servant, she endured poverty and hardship before reinventing herself as “Madam” C. J. Walker.
After experimenting with remedies for scalp conditions, Walker founded a thriving business empire selling Black hair care products and cosmetics. Her company employed thousands of African-American women, empowering them through economic opportunities.
Through her entrepreneurial spirit, Walker became America’s first self-made Black female millionaire. A dedicated philanthropist, she supported Black educational institutions and championed civil rights causes. Her estate, Villa Lewaro, stood as a symbol of success and achievement.
Madam C. J. Walker passed away on May 25, 1919, at the age of 51, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and self-sufficiency that continues to inspire.
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