Madam C. J. Walker
May 26th, 2024
Midjourney and Adobe Photoshop
Madam C.J. Walker's journey is a testament to resilience and ingenuity. The first of her family to be born “free” into a world of limited opportunities, she transformed her own hair care challenges into a groundbreaking business empire. While Walker's tenacity and visionary spirit most certainly led her to raise herself out of abject poverty to become America's first female self-made millionaire, she also empowered countless other women by providing them with employment and a sense of self-worth.
"I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there, I was promoted to the washtub. From there, I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there, I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations. I have built my own factory on my own ground."
-Madam C.J. Walker (1912), via History.com
As her empire grew, she increasingly worked with Black organizations such as the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (NACWC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), using her influence and wealth to support anti-lynching campaigns and education initiatives. Walker's philanthropic efforts were not just financial; she actively participated in advocacy, mentoring, and providing leadership opportunities for Black women. Her work transcended business, embodying ideals of empowerment and social justice.
I felt inspired to create this piece because Madam C.J. Walker is a personal hero of mine. Her legacy is a vibrant story of innovation, courage, and an unyielding commitment to uplifting others, painting a powerful picture of what it means to overcome adversity and inspire future generations. To finish off with a thought both she and I share:
"She said herself two years ago that she was not yet a millionaire, but hoped to be some time, not that she wanted the money for herself, but for the good she could do with it.”
-Madam C.J. Walker (1917), via New York Times Archives (published 1919)
Fifty percent of the proceeds from minting this NFT will go to Black Lives Matter, towards supporting efforts to fight and one day hopefully end systemic racism. The other fifty percent will go to Black Girl Ventures, which provides access to mentorship and capital to female-identifying founders of underrepresented communities. Every subsequent sale will be split 50-50 with the seller and the foundation. You must be 18 years or older (or whichever is the legal age in your area) and possess a valid credit card tied to your name, or if purchasing with crypto you automatically attest that you are of legal majority age within your jurisdiction to be making such a transaction.
Parts of this text were generated by AI