Sarah Breedlove achieved the American dream without having rights. In 1867 Breedlove was born in Delta, Louisiana, to Minerva and Owen Breedlove. One of five siblings, she was orphaned at the age of seven. At fourteen years old, Sarah married her first husband, and at the age of twentie she was widowed with a daughter. After this, Sarah moved from Louisiana to St. Louis with her brother.
Sarah washed clothes for a living because that's all she could find employment in. She then started selling hair and scalp care ointments, specified for African American ladies that need specialty products. In 1905, she married Mr. Charles Joseph Walker, and became known as Madam C.J. Walker. A year later she started her own hair company known as, "Madam C.J. Walker". She toured the country with her products, giving demonstrations, selling her wares like crazy. She astonished the white male business establishment, which was being introduced to the first truly successful female entrepreneur.
Sarah had tapped into a huge, undeveloped market in black women's hair care. She quickly expanded her company to Denver, then to Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and eventually the entire country.
In 1912 she divorced Mr. Walker, but kept his name, her offices, her factories, and ever-growing product line.
The once penniless orphan from the Jim Crow South, became the first American woman to be a self-made millionaire. Madam C.J. Walker died in 1919 with a great reputation and a memorable career. She left two thirds of her fortune to black charities, to show support, and to inspire any young entrepreneurs to succeed and do good. Madam C.J. Walker left a revolutionary business model behind, and a company that still exists today.
Sources:
https://www.biography.com/people/madam-cj-walker-9522174
https://www.mcjwbeautyculture.com/about-madam-c-j-walker-beauty-culture/#.Wgks1hNSx-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=x5L30zwXyh0
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