Walker, C. J., Madam, 1867-1919

Sarah Breedlove was born in Louisiana. She married, had a daughter, A'Lelia, and was widowed at age 20. She moved to St. Louis, where she experimented with preparations to grow and straighten hair and sold them door-to-door. In 1905 she moved to Denver, where she married newspaper man Charles J. Walker. As her business grew, she opened a Pittsburgh office, then moved to Indianapolis in 1910, setting up a factory and beauty school. The business later expanded to include New York offices, where Walker built a mansion. As her wealth grew, Walker invested heavily in real estate and gave to African American charities. A self-made businesswoman, Walker became a national figure and leader, leaving the legacy of a highly successful business founded by blacks to serve black customers.

From the description of Madam C.J. Walker papers, 1910-1980. (Indiana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 29251551