Saturday, February 14, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
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Print viewMadame C.J. Walker
Born in 1867 to ex-slaves in Louisiana, Walker was orphaned at age 7, married at 14 and became a widow with a small child at 20. She went to St. Louis and for 20 years supported herself and her daughter as a washwoman. It is said that the stress made Walker's hair fall out.
She tried several products, but nothing helped, so she created a formula and began selling hair products, cosmetics and toiletries to black women. Walker started with door-to-door sales and later built a factory. She was one of the first women of any race to become a self-made millionaire.
— Leslie Fulbright
Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company
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