Essay Database

Madam C.J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867 on Delta, Louisiana plantation. The fifth of Owen and Minerva Anderson Breedlove's six children, she was the first Breedlove child born after the end of slavery. This daughter of former slaves transformed herself from an uneducated farm laborer and laundress into the twentieth century's most successful, self-made women entrepreneur. She also was the first african-american female millionaire. She ran the largest business owned by an …

…May 25, 1919. Upon her death her daughter A'Lelia steeped into her shoes. Almost. Although A'Lelia continued to host black intellectuals at lavish parties, she withdrew her financial support. A'Lelia Walker did not subsidize specific writers, but she provided a place for all kinds of people to gather. She was one of the few blacks who had the money to allow her to entertain in the large scale. When A'Lelia died, more than 10,000 mourners paid their respects.