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The Birth of Madam C.J. Walker
She was born as Sarah Breedlove by Owen and Minerva in Delta, Louisiana. She was the fifth child, but the first child born into freedom. -
The Loss of Her Parents
Sarah's parents died when she was seven years old, which caused her to be orphaned at age seven along with her siblings. But later on was sent to live with her sister and brother-in-law. -
Start of Employment
During this time Sarah, her sister Louvinia, and her sister's husband moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi where she started her first job picking cotton and began working in the house -
Sarah's First Marriage
Sarah's first marriage was to Moses McWilliams to get away from her oppressive work environment and her abusive brother-in-law. -
Sarah's first child
Sarah gave birth to her first child A'Lelia after marrying her husband Moses -
Sarah Began Working as a Wash Woman
After Moses died, Sarah became a wash woman earning $1.50 a day and she enrolled her daughter into public school. -
Sarah's Development of Hair Care
During the 1890's Sarah developed a scalp disorder which led her to experiment and put together treatments in order for her hair to grow back -
First Time Big Job
In 1905, Sarah was hired to become a commissions agent by Annie Malone. Another young black successful entrepreneur. Sarah then moved to Denver, Colorado. -
Promotion of Products
Sarah began to travel around the south and southeast promoting her products and giving demonstrations of her "Walker Method", this was a year after marrying her second husband. Her husband also gave her the idea to go by "Madam C.J. Walker" so that her name is memorable. -
Prosperity Began
During the year of 1908 she began to prosper and open her own beauty school and factory in Pittsburgh. -
Relocating For The Better
She once again relocated to Indianapolis where her company had a major growth with profits that are modern day equivalent to several million dollars. -
Divorcing her Second Husband
After she divorced her third husband she decided throughout the Caribbean and Latin America promoting her business and while she was traveling her daughter helped out a lot with the purchasing of property in Harlem, New York. During this time she also donated a large amount of money to construct the YMCA. -
Becoming Part of the Culture
She became part of the political and social culture of Harlem after her travels. She also became a founder of philanthropies and that included educational scholarship and donations to the elderly homes. -
The Death of Madam C.J. Walker
On May 25, 1919 she passed away leaving her legacy behind.
