Madam C. J. Walker

May 25, 1919: African-American millionaire hair care mogul, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist Madam C. J. Walker died from kidney failure and complications of hypertension at 51 years old.

"In 1911, pioneering entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker invested $10,000 of her own money to incorporate the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. During a time when black women suffered from ailments such as severe dandruff, she sold her products door to door and taught other black women how to groom and style their hair. Walker recruited sales agents in major cities across the nation. Her efforts provided African American women with steady employment and a career that they and their communities could take pride in. She opened training programs through her “Walker System,” which gave her national network of licensed sales agents healthy commissions. After relocating to Indianapolis, Walker eventually built a factory, hair salon, a beauty school to train her agents, and a laboratory for research purposes. Many of her employees, particularly those in key management positions, were women. Walker offered cash incentives to members who promoted her values.

In 1917, Walker drew inspiration from the National Association of Colored Women and organized her sales agents into clubs which served as the foundation for the establishment of the National Beauty Culturists and Benevolent Association of Madam C.J. Walker Agents. The association’s first conference gathered in Philadelphia in the summer of 1917 with approximately 200 attendees. The conference is among the first national gatherings of women entrepreneurs to discuss business and commerce. Walker stated, “I am not merely satisfied in making money for myself. I am endeavoring to provide employment for hundreds of women of my race.” Outside the realm of beauty, Walker taught other black women to budget, build their businesses, and become financially independent." - Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.