Madam CJ Walker was not born with a lot of opportunities. She was the first child her parents had that was born free of slavery. When both parents died she was young and was raised by her sister. But the woman born Sarah Breedlove was able.
Sarah married young and had a child. She was determined her daughter would have all of the things she never had. She started out doing the things she knew to do, but later learned new things. She was able.
A woman who grew up without parents, without a formal education, and all of the other things we are waiting on became very successful. She was able.
I will never forget the first time I heard an instructor tell the class that the first person to successful sale products door to door was some Caucasian man in the 1950s. He obviously had never heard of Sarah Breedlove or Annie Malone, women who became millionaires by selling their products door to door. They started as far back as 1890. Breedlove became Madam CJ Walker who sold haircare and grooming products.
Madam CJ Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana in 1887. After moving to St Louis in 1888, she worked at a laundry and became a part of the community. She learned about haircare from her brothers who were barbers. She became an agent for Annie Malone, who owned a company that catered to African American hair care. Walker would later become Malone’s biggest rival.
Walker moved to Denver in 1905 to sell Malone’s products and start to create her own. She met and married Charles Walker. She began selling her products door to door, and her market grew to the point where she could hire other people to sell them for her. She opened a college where she taught other women how to take care of their hair. She also opened a manufacturing plant to make her products. She created a method of grooming that helped promote healthy hair and scalps. Her goal was to teach women how to live better.
She became a millionaire and her products were sold all across the US and the Caribbean. She supported organizations like the YMCA and scholarships for education of African Americans. She tried to fulfill a need in the community.
In this image it spoke to a woman who was able to be where she was. It did not limit her.
This week we focus on business. In this section of the book we take a moment from when Zo is having a chat with her new friend Andrew. She is running her plans by him. Remember this is 1912.
“I gonna run by Mr. Sweet tomorrow an see if he will let me write for his paper.”
“His newspaper?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Girl, he won’t let no woman do that kind of work.”
“I have experience. I even have some bylines.”
Andrew sighed.
“You will be better going to clean someone’s house. I know this little family that can use someone.”
She looked at him like he had insulted her. He needed to know she as not some ordinary heifer. She was capable of much more.
“I don’t clean other people’s houses. I am an educated woman.”
Destiny’s Dilemma
An African American woman moved home to take care of her dying mother giving up the opportunity to experience a world beyond segregation. Zoraida Hughes Williams finds that some things have changed about her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas while some have stayed the same, like Hell’s Half Acre, an area where saloons, prostitution and gambling runs wild. Like most of the residents, she wants to keep her head down and stay away from trouble, but it comes in the unlikely form of an Anglo Baptist preacher. He messes up everything and almost gets them killed.
These Sistas have stumbled across on some animation that makes them cheer. What on earth could make them excited that doesn’t involve good food, sexy men or free airline tickets? Listen.
This week we are celebrating Black History and Love! As part of Black History Month we listed movies that tell stories of black love. Regina and I have put together our list of the top Black Movies to share. We have added some altered movie posters of our favorites. What are your thoughts?
People of African descent have made significant contributions to society. This month is an opportunity to look at those achievements and celebrate our people.
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