Courage

Madam C.J Walker had a lot f courage which led her to her success.

She did not allow anyone to tell her how far she could go in life, she did what she felt was best for her.

She was the first African American also to put her own picture on her products.

Picture of Hair Product

Hair Products Preparations

Courage cont.

By the time of her death, Madam Walker had helped create the role of the twentieth century, self-made American businesswoman. She not only established herself as a pioneer of the modern black hair-care and cosmetics industry, but she also set standards in the African-American community for corporate and community giving.

Discrimination

It was unusual for an African American to be a major entrepreneur in the early 1900s, but it was even more unusual for it to be an African American female.

It wasn’t an easy journey for Madam C.J. Walker to become the first African American female millionaire, but with the fight and drive she succeeded.

Discrimination cont.

Racial segregation forbid access to many theaters to blacks, or allowed them only in the balconies. In response, the Walker Theatre in Indianapolis was opened for blacks in 1927. Part of the Walker Building at 617 Indiana Ave, which formerly housed Madam Walker's company, a $2.3 million renovation of the theater was completed in 1987. The building is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Walker Theatre

Discrimination cont.

In 1917, East St. Louis experienced a bloody race riot in which more than three dozen black men were killed by a white mob. This prompted Madam Walker to devote herself to having lynching made a federal crime, joining a group of Harlem leaders who visited the White House to present a petition favoring federal anti-lynching legislation.

Discrimination cont.

She was an activist who stood up for her beliefs and tried to make change with discrimination and racism.

Villa Lewaro was built in August of 1918 in Irvington-on-Hudson, New York. The grand estate served not only as Madam Walker's home but as a conference center for summits of racial leaders to discuss current issues. Her neighbors included industrialists Jay Gould and John D. Rockefeller.

Madam C.J Walker

Women’s Rights

By the time of her death, Madam Walker had helped create the role of the twentieth century, self-made American businesswoman. She not only established herself as a pioneer of the modern black hair-care and cosmetics industry, but she also set standards in the African-American community for corporate and community giving.

Women’s Rights cont.

She became a public speaker and lectured to promote her business, in turn empowering other women in business. She did not limit her public speaking to business however, but touched on issues important to the black community. She also encouraged black Americans to support the cause of World War I and worked to have black veterans granted full respect.

Women’s Rights cont.

The National Association of Colored Women (NACW) honored Madam Walker during the summer of 1918 for making the largest contribution to saving the home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.