Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civil rights activist who overcame great hardship in her early life to become one of the most successful and respected figures of her time.

Madam Walker was born in 1867 in Louisiana, the daughter of former slaves. Despite the end of slavery, she and her family faced severe poverty and discrimination in the years that followed. Despite these challenges, Madam Walker was determined to improve her life and worked tirelessly to achieve her goals.

Madam Walker began working as a washerwoman and cook at the age of 14 to support her family. She married at the age of 20 and had a daughter, but was widowed by the age of 27. She then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she worked as a sales agent for various hair care products.

In 1905, Madam Walker developed her own line of hair care products specifically for African American hair, and began to sell them door-to-door. She quickly found success and established her own manufacturing and distribution company, Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company.

Madam Walker's business continued to grow, and she soon expanded her operations to other cities, including Denver, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis, and eventually established a factory in Indianapolis. She also opened beauty schools to train other African American women to become "Madam Walker hair culturists."

Madam Walker's contributions to society were recognized by many organizations and awards. She was appointed as a member of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) in 1910 and became a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1919. She also donated large sums of money to various philanthropic causes, including the YMCA and the NAACP.

Madam Walker's life and work have inspired countless other African American women to pursue careers in business and entrepreneurship. She is considered as one of the most successful self-made female entrepreneurs of all time. Her legacy continues to be celebrated today, as an example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and a passion for innovation.