Madam C.J. Walker and Her Wonderful Hair Grower
TLDR Madam C.J. Walker became the first self-made female millionaire in the USA by creating a successful hair care product for Black women.
Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, overcame early life hardships, including orphanhood and widowhood, to become the USA's first self-made female millionaire. Experiencing significant hair loss in the 1890s, she developed her own hair care formula, "Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower," specifically for Black women. Her product, which included ingredients like sulfur and coconut oil, became widely popular, leading to the establishment of a successful beauty empire. Despite lacking formal medical training, Walker's contributions highlighted the neglected issue of hair loss in Black women, a concern that remains under-addressed in dermatology today. Her legacy continues through the still-operating Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture.
