selfmade
Women’s history month has been recognized globally to fall in the month of March. For many people, this is the time they go back in history to recognize and celebrate the contributions women have made to history, culture and society. In line with celebrating the pivotal roles women have played in history ,we cannot forget to highlight Madam C.J Walker,her significant contribution to the beauty industry in America.
Where it started
Madam C.J Walker known as Sarah Breedlove Walker, born on a plantation near delta in 1867. She was orphaned at the age of seven, and went on to live with her sister in Mississippi, where she later married, and had a child named A'lelia Walker. After her husband died, she decided to join her brothers, who worked as barbers in St. Louis. Her employment as a laundry woman, combined with encounters from the St. Paul A.M.E. Church and the National Association of Colored Women fueled her desire for success . In 1905, she relocated to Denver, where she began her hair care career as a sales agent for Anne Turnbo Malone, a successful hair care pioneer.
Her company was founded in 1910 with hair growth serums, scalp conditioners and healing salves as her first products. Inspired by a dream she had, she created a grooming technique that specifically encouraged hair growth, while conditioning the scalp. The approach called for the use of a vegetable shampoo, a pressing oil called glossine, that helped with hair growth, hard brushing, and the use of iron combs. This method, she revealed, resulted in lackluster and brittle hair becoming smooth and luxuriant. She grew her customer base by employing a multi-level marketing strategy along with a competent squad of female sales agents. The sales agents were known for their professional uniform; crisp white shirts, black skirts, and black satchels.Today, her products are being sold at sephora and go by the name Madam C. J. Walker beauty Culture.
Madam C.J.Walker and the Black community
Madam C.J Walker confidently motivated aspiring entrepreneurs at the National Negro Business League meeting, an annual event at the time for female entrepreneurs, leaving the convention goers so impressed that they asked her to be a keynote speaker in the following year. She contributed towards scholarship funds to the Tuskegee Institute, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Industrial School for Black Girls, not forgetting her hand in raising funds to establish a YMCA branch in the Indiana police black community.
Records show that she was a patron of the arts and gave talks on political, economic, and social topics at conventions sponsored by strong black groups. Walker showed her support for Black designers by hiring Vertner Tandy, New York's first certified black architect, to renovate the townhouses at 108 and 110 West 136th Street into an integrated residence, salon, and training facility. She later on hired him again when constructing her country villa in Irvington that went on to become a meeting place for the Black community.
Her participation on the executive committee of the New York Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAAP), which helped plan the silent protest, was another notable contribution she made to the Black community. She was a member of the Harlem (YWCA) Management Committee, which influenced the creation of beauty training for young black women. Lastly, being a leader in the circle for Negro War relief enabled her to advocate for the establishment of a training camp for black army officers during World War 1.
Photo Credits:
Production @elewatv
Photographer: @imacheesecake
Model: @hadassah31
Creative Direction:@abisolas_
Hairstylist: @thekuskus_
Makeup Artist: @graceeni_ @fayces_
Stylist:@abisolas_
Set Assistant @_adwoaaa_
Studio: @iolite_studios