Synopsis
Introduces the life of Madam C. J. Walker, who invented hair-care products for African Americans, founded factories and beauty schools, and organized one of the first national ...
Heidi Hauser Green - Children's Literature
At the age of 20, Sarah Breedlove was already a widow with a young child to support. For the next 18 years, she worked hard washing clothes so that she could send her daughter to college. Then, Sarah went to school herself. When her hair began to fall out, Sarah looked for products that would help and discovered a new career path. She began selling the products that had worked for her. Soon, she was experimenting with ingredients and making her own products. A savvy businesswoman, Sarah advertised her products, traveled around the country, and employed satisfied customers as sales agents. She was also concerned with the issues facing African-American women and opened a beauty school in Pittsburgh. Madam Walker, as Sarah called herself after marrying in 1906, was the first highly successful African-American businesswoman. Includes trivia facts, a timeline, a glossary, and a list of related books. 2003, Heinemann Library, Ages 6 to 10.