So what are the lessons that we as black women can learn from the Madam Walker story?

Lesson 1: Being natural is OK

During Madam CJ Walker’s time, substances such as Lye and Sulfur were common. However, her products did trigger a movement of research and awareness about black hair care that is ethical and natural which continues today.
We now step out with black hair hairstyles that can be managed without the use of substances which can be harmful to our health and wellbeing.
Madam CJ Walker was an avid promoter of research and training - two valuable routes to helping black women to both look good and stay healthy!

Lesson 2: Financial Independence is OK

As well as running her own Business, Madam CJ Walker showed other black women how to grow their own businesses and encouraged them to become financially independent. She was also a great advocate for using the education of women to achieve that independence. In a time when it was considered normal for women to defer to men, she presented herself as an independent business woman.

A great lesson to all of us that being self-sufficient can work and be empowering.

Lesson 3: Supporting other Women is OK

At a time when being fully employed woman was not common, Madam CJ Walker’s company employed several thousand women to sell its products.
She arranged conferences for women entrepreneurs and employee reward schemes at a time when these initiatives were very rare.
The lesson?
Women supporting other women is OK and important for a powerful and healthy “sisterhood”.

Lesson 4: Education is Key to the growth of Black Women

It is claimed that Madam CJ Walker’s company trained nearly 20,000 women. You would be hard pushed to find a business today training women at that scale! She realised that the future of her company relied on the competence and skills of it’s employees. Amazing forward thinking for that time!
She declared:

"I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there, I was promoted to the cook's 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”

She did indeed use Education to change her world and it is a key lesson to all of us of the importance of doing the same.

You can read up more about Madam CJ Walker via this National Women’s History article.

Final Thoughts

The Madam CJ Walker story is almost inconceivable when you consider the educational, economic and social disadvantages for African Americans at the time.

She became a successful Businesswoman and helped to advance other Black women, despite the obstacles.

As a Fibroid Wellbeing advocate for Black Career Women, her story has taught me that there is nothing (except myself!) that can stop me from doing the same.