The first woman millionaire Sarah Breedlove: the path from a simple washerwoman to the Guinness Book of records

Black American Sarah Breedlove (Sarah Breedlove), which many know as Madam C. J. Walker is the epitome of the idea of equal opportunities. This woman is born free, but in a family of slaves from the plantation in Louisiana, she has achieved success and entered the Guinness Book of records as the first female millionaire. But Sarah is not just reaped the fruits of his success — it provided well-paying jobs to thousands of black women, freeing their families from poverty.

Born Sarah Breedlove in the slave state of Louisiana in the southern United States in 1867. By the time of her birth-slavery is abolished, so that the girl was born in a family of slaves, but free. Parents and older siblings Sarah were slaves on a cotton plantation and knew no other life except the existence in poverty, beatings and humiliation.

When Sarah was 7 years old, her parents died and the girl took to her older sister Louvenia. Her husband, Willy Powell, was a very cruel man and beating were in his house the norm. Not to be a burden on their families, Sarah had to work as a servant, so to get an education she failed.

Later, Madam C. J. Walker was told that in my life been able to devote to the study not more than three months. His short education the girl got in Sunday school, where the main subjects were the study of the Bible and the singing of Psalms. Despite this, Sarah passable read, and even learned to write.

The house, which was part of the childhood of Sarah Breedlove

At the age of 14 she had to get married Moses McWilliams. Marriage was the only way to get away from a family of sisters and get rid of the constant threat of her drinking a violent spouse. After four years of family life Sarah and Moses was born A daughter Lelia, and two years later, McWilliams died, leaving her husband in 20 years, one man and absolutely without means of livelihood.

Work as a laundress greatly undermined the health of women due to the high humidity and bleaching chemicals, it is almost bald. In order not to lose hair, Sarah turned for help to the brothers who taught her the basics of caring for the scalp and hair. Intrigued by the shampoos and masks, she met well-known in the US businesswoman Annie Malone and became sales agent.

Sarah Breedlove and her employee

New work let Sarah and her daughter to move to Denver to start a new life. Money has become more and Breedlove thought about creating your own line of care products for hair, which would take into account the peculiarities of the structure of the hair of people with dark skin. She began to experiment with different components and found several formulas, which allowed her to begin production.

In 1906, Sarah married a second time to Charles Joseph Walker, abbreviated as CJ. From this point on Sarah Breedlove disappears and businesswoman Madam C. J. Walker. Husband gave strong support to her business, as he worked as an advertising agent. The man taught Sarah the basics of marketing and helped in all her endeavors.

One of the first series of Sarah Breedlove products

To promote their products, Madam C. J. Walker had to walk the streets of Denver from house to house and to offer their shampoos and conditioners. In addition, the woman taught African-American it is to style and generally take care of their hair. The business was making a good income and Sara with CJ began to travel around the southern and Eastern United States, offering its product to residents of different cities.

Employee of the company taught women hair care

At the new location of Madam C. J. Walker and her husband opened a beauty salon and a College where I learned the intricacies of hair care and hairdressing. In 1910, Sarah again relocating and settles with his family in Indianapolis. In this big town she opens the office Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company, building factory, the beauty and science lab. For training new employees business lady founded the school, preparing commercial agents.

Factory Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company in Indianapolis

In 1917 at the Madam C. J. Walker worked 20 thousand women, receiving from $ 5 to $ 15 a day. They suggested that the products of Madam C. J. Walker not only in the South and East of the country, but throughout the United States. Sara doesn't just provide black women with good work — she taught them to earn money, plan your budget and take care of themselves.

Madam C. J. Walker behind the wheel of a car. 1911

Madam C. J. Walker left this world too early, at the age of 51, but released her time was done incredibly much. This woman was the richest African-American of capital, which is estimated at $ 500 thousand to $ 1 million. In the early 20th century, the dollar has been valued much higher than it is now, so it was great wealth.

The merits of Sarah Breedlove highly appreciated by posterity. In December 2010, the mayor of new York Michael Bloomberg signed the bill, according to which quarter 136th street between Boulevard and Malcolm X (Lenox Avenue) and Seventh Avenue was named in honor of Madam Walker and lelee the Walker. Madam C. J. Walker is included in the national hall of fame and the national cosmetology hall of fame direct sales.

Madam C. J. Walker meets with business partners. 1917

The story of Sarah Breedlove so amazing that it could not be filmed. TV company Netflix has released in March 2020, a mini-series about the life of this woman. Despite some experience strange and experimental approach to music, this project worthy of the attention of the viewers.