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Madam C. J. Walker

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description Madam C. J. Walker Overview

Madam C. J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded a highly successful hair-care company in 1910. She developed a line of cosmetic and hair products specifically for Black women, establishing a business model that provided economic opportunities for thousands of African American sales agents.

Her financial success made her one of the first female self-made millionaires in the United States. Beyond her business ventures, she was a prominent activist who donated to educational and civil rights causes.

help Madam C. J. Walker FAQ

Who was Madam C. J. Walker before she became famous?

Madam C. J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove. In 1910, she moved her business headquarters to Indianapolis, where she built a factory and expanded her hair-care operation ([biography](https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/madam-cj-walker)).

What products did Madam C. J. Walker sell?

Her best-known product was Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower, alongside scalp treatments and other hair-care products for Black women. She built a business around product sales, demonstrations, and trained sales agents.

Did Madam C. J. Walker invent the straightening comb?

No. Her official biography says she did not invent the straightening comb or chemical perms. Her contribution was building a large hair-care company and training network around products marketed to Black women.

How did Madam C. J. Walker train and support her sales agents?

She used door-to-door demonstrations, organized sales agents into clubs, and established training schools such as Lelia College in Pittsburgh in 1908. This system gave Black women a way to earn income by selling and teaching her hair-care methods.