Remembering Madame C.J. Walker

NEWS

» by February 8, 2011, 13:34pm


Madame C.J. Walker, the first Black female millionaire and an innovator in hair and cosmetics, boasts one of the most recognizable names in Black history.

The woman credited with creating the hot comb was born Sarah Breedlove McWilliams Walker but donned her trademark Madame C.J. moniker.

In all actuality she did not invent the hair-straightening tool but adapted it to have wider teeth making it easier to use on Black hair.

Born to slaves, Walker worked as a washwoman before experimenting and vying for a product that promoted hair growth.

A victim of hair loss herself, Walker developed her “Wonderful Hair Grower” which promoted a healthy scalp reportedly through the use of sulfur.

Her growth ointment, along with a hair oil, scalp treatment and hot comb became known as the "Walker System" used by Black women to straighten their hair.

Walker went on to establish Lelia College in Pittsburgh to train beauticians on using her system and generated enough wealth to become a philanthropist.

She died in 1919 reportedly from a stroke.

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Comment Comments 3 Tags Tags: , , , , ,
  • MISSVALZ

    RIP MADAME WALKER, KNOW YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF GRATEFUL BLACK WOMEN AND MEN AND ESPECIALLY CHILDREN. BLACK HISTORY FOR REAL.

  • QueenBii

    Thanx for inventing the perm Madam!! :)

  • Angela Randolph

    I just wanted to inform you and your readers of this very important fact – Madame C.J. Walker's historic company still exists today and has never stopped manufacturing all of the original hair oils! Please visit our website at http://www.madamewalker.net to view and purchase the full product line. The website also contains valuable information about Raymond Randolph's purchase of the original Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company in 1985 from the Walker Trustees in Indianapolis, Indiana and how his family continues to keep Madame Walker's “true” legacy alive. Due to our ownership of Madame's historic company and the historical do*****ents and memorabilia of the company, the Randolph Family can provide the most detailed and historically sound information about Madame C.J. Walker and her company by calling toll free, 866-552-2838 or going to the contact us page of our website. 

    Angela Randolph
    http://www.madamewalker.net

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