Madam CJ Walker: America’s Wealthiest Female Self Made Millionaire
10 Things to Learn from Madame CJ Walker
- Create Jobs for Your Own Community
“I’m not satisfied in making money for myself. I endeavor to provide employment to hundreds of women of my race.” Madam CJ Walker
2. Build Your Own Table
“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” Madam CJ Walker
3. Create your own opportunities
“I got my start by giving myself a start.” Madam CJ Walker
4. It does not matter where You Start
Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919) was born Sarah Breedlove.
“I am not ashamed of my past. I am not ashamed of my humble beginning.” Madam CJ Walker
5. Importance of the Community
I want you to understand that your first duty is to humanity. I want others to look at us and see that we care not just about ourselves but about others.
Madam CJ Walker
6. Build Your Own Businesses
“I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I got promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations. I have built my own factory on my own ground.” Madam CJ Walker
7. Work hard
“There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it for I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.”
8. Social activism and philanthropy is important
Madam CJ Walker used her money and fame to end lynching. Lynching was a barbaric practice where black people were hung from trees at the whim of white people. Madam CJ Walker advocated for the end of lynching by supporting NAACP
9. Break the cycle of Poverty
Created direct sales company employing 3,000 people with livable wages that allowed African Americans to thrive at a time they were paid slave wages across America. These wages broke the cycle of poverty and improved the lives of countless African Americans.
