Most of you that know me, know I love the history of the hairdressing and barbering profession.
I recently came across a remarkable woman of the past, Madam C.J. Walker. I highly recommend reading her book, On Her Own Ground.
Madam C.J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove December 23, 1867, on a Louisiana plantation. She transformed herself from an uneducated cotton field laborer and laundress to the first female self-made millionaire in America.
During the 1890’s, Sarah began to suffer from a scalp ailment that caused her to lose most of her hair. She experimented with many homemade remedies and store bought products including those made by Annie Malone, another black woman entrepreneur.
After working as a sales rep for Annie Malone, Sarah married her third husband Charles Joseph Walker in 1905. Changing her name to Madam C.J. Walker she founded her own business selling her own product Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp conditioning treatment.
By early 1910, she had settled in Indianapolis, then the nation’s largest inland manufacturing center, where she built a factory, hair and manicure salon and training school.
Not only did she promote her business through dedication and hard work she was also a philanthropist, using her money to make a difference in causes she felt were important.
If you are as interested, as I am, in past beauty history, I highly recommend reading Madam C.J. Walker’s story. She was an incredible woman.
Check out my photo Museum of Hair History at judydeluca.com
Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel
Towel Dry and a Good Cry is about a young girl, new to the hairdressing business, that learns all too quick that there is more to standing behind the chair than just cutting hair. A story full of laughs and tears lies and fears with characters you’ll love, hate or will leave your jaw hanging open!
Available at your favorite ebook store
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Judy De Luca 