Sarah “Madam CJ” Walker: Joyful Generosity | 1867-1919
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” —2nd Corinthians 9:7
Biography:
Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867, in Delta, Louisiana, is widely recognized as one of the first African American self-made millionaires and to this day, remains one of the most charitable women in American history. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pioneering entrepreneur, philanthropist, and champion for human dignity is an inspiring story of tenacity, generosity, and faith.
Raised in poverty, Walker was the daughter of former slaves, and her early life was filled with hardship. Orphaned at the age of seven, she worked as a laundress in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and picked cotton the fields with her sister Louvenia. At only 14 years old, Sarah married Moses McWilliams and together, they eventually had a daughter, Lelia. By age 20, Sarah tragically became a widow and single mother—and made the difficult choice to move to St. Louis, where she took work as a cook and laundress to support herself and her young daughter. Struggling to make ends meet, Sarah reached out to a church that she heard helped struggling families like hers: the African Methodist Episcopal Church of St. Louis. There, she received the aid she needed to get back on her feet, met the Savior who changed her life, and found a new family of God-fearing women who mentored her through some of the most difficult years of her life. Her new church family taught her the importance of meeting people where they were, loving them with the heart of Jesus, and sacrificially giving of what God blessed you with to serve those around you. As a widowed, single mother working multiple jobs to make ends meet, Sarah began stepping out in faith and generosity—first helping an elderly bind man and others in great need. As she sacrificially gave to others, she saw the Lord begin to do extraordinary things all around her.
In 1904, a new door opened for Sarah. She began facing hair loss and discovered Annie Turbo Malone’s “The Great Wonderful Hair Grower,” which began restoring health to Sarah’s scalp and helped her regain confidence as a woman. When presented with an opportunity join Malone’s team of female sales agents, she jumped in both feet and quickly learned the business. Just a year later, Sarah moved to Denver, Colorado, where she married Charles Joseph Walker, a man who worked in advertising. There, Sarah saw an opportunity to serve other African American women struggling to find hair care solutions, and with an investment of $1.25, she launched her own small business based on the model she learned from Malone, featuring her own signature product, “Madam Walker’s wonderful Hair Grower.” Her husband put his advertising skills to work, and together, they built a robust mail-order business.
By the time she moved to Indianapolis in 1910, Walker had founded the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, which continued to grow rapidly and gained national recognition for its beauty products. Her growing factory provided more than ample means to support her family, and she worked hard to make sure that her workers and direct sales agents were also able to support their families well. She used her high-paying jobs to help uplift other women escape many of the hardships she once knew and used personal and company profits to heavily invest in a wide range of Christian charities. During her lifetime, Madam C.J. Walker gave away more than $100,000 (conservatively 3.7-4 million dollars in today’s money) to help build churches, support missions, fund orphanages and schools education such as the Booker T. Washington Memorial Home for Girls, and the Tuskegee Institute, and fund Christian outreach work through the YMCA. She also was an unrelenting champion for of the worth and dignity of all people created in the image of God and fought tirelessly for the advancement of civil rights. Upon her death, a full 2/3 of her estate was given to continue this charitable work (a gift worth as much as 46 million in modern currency).
This extravagant generosity was the fruit of Walker’s deep Christian faith. She was deeply influenced by her religious upbringing, and her Christian beliefs remained a foundation for her business and philanthropic endeavors. A journalist, after interviewing the business tycoon, remarked that “She takes great stock in the theory that the Lord loves a cheerful giver.” Walker’s joy and deep sense of gratitude were always evident in her acts of generosity. Walker often referred to her success as a “gift from God,” and her faith in divine guidance fueled her drive to empower others, particularly women of color. She saw her wealth not just as a means for personal success, but as a tool for Gospel-driven reforms that bettered mankind.
Her faith in God inspired also her commitment to uplifting the African American community. Walker’s company not only provided employment to many African American women, but it also offered a sense of self-worth and dignity, at a time when such opportunities were scarce. She encouraged her employees to see themselves as capable and valuable, helping them discover their identity in Christ by emphasizing the importance of faith, hard work, and perseverance.
Before Elizabeth Arden, Mary Kay, or Avon, Madam C.J. Walker had a vision to help women discover health and beauty that went far beyond their appearance. Madam C.J. Walker passed away on May 25, 1919, but her impact is still felt through her pioneering role in the beauty industry and her charitable contributions. Her faith-driven philosophy of empowerment, giving, and service to others remains an enduring model of Christ-centered leadership and compassion.
Lessons from Madam C.J. Walker’s Life
Throughout her life, Walker’s deep sense of faith and her desire to improve the lives of others were integral to both her entrepreneurial journey and her charitable legacy. She made is practice never to “compartmentalize” her faith—rather, she let is shape all of her life.
She was also passionate about honoring God in her life, even when it wasn’t easy. She didn’t wait for her circumstances to improve, but literally gave the widow’s mite, worked hard, and trusted the Lord to provide—and He always did! By the time she was a millionaire, it was easy to trust the Lord with fortune, because she had trusted Him with her first dollar. She also lived in the community of faith, relying on her church family often and sowing back into the ministry and mission of the Church. She worked hard—not just for herself or her family—but to improve the lives of others and to help others see beyond themselves. Her remarkable story is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and philanthropy in shaping a legacy that continues to inspire today. As modern day believers, may we be just as intentional and joyful in honoring the Lord and serving His people with every ounce of our time, talent, and treasure!
Madam C.J. Walker in Her Own Words:
“Success is not about how you start, but about how you finish.”
“My object in life is not simply to make money for myself or to spend it on myself in dressing or running around in an automobile, but I love to use a part of what I make in trying to help others.”
“It’s pretty hard for the Lord to guide you if you haven’t made up your mind which way to go. ”
“Giving is not just about making a donation; it’s about making a difference.”
“A generous heart touches more than the immediate need—it invigorates multidirectional growth.”
“True wealth is not measured by what you keep, but by what you give away.”
“I want you to understand that your first duty is to humanity. I want others to look at us and see that we care not just about ourselves but about others.”
“This is the greatest country under the sun. But we must not let our love of country, our patriotic loyalty, cause us to abate one whit in our protest against wrong and injustice.”
“I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to a 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.”
“Don’t think that because you have to go down in the washtub that you are any less a lady!”
“Don’t let others dictate your worth. Believe in yourself and your abilities.”
Sources & Further Reading
1. On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker by A’Lelia Perry Bundles
This biography, written by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter, provides an in-depth look at Madam C.J. Walker’s life, her entrepreneurial journey, and her role as a philanthropist, with a focus on her faith and charitable contributions.
2. Madam C.J. Walker: The Life and Legacy of America’s First Female Self-Made Millionaire by Geri G. W. McNair
This book covers the life and success of Madam C.J. Walker, focusing on her rise from poverty to becoming one of the wealthiest women of her time, as well as her commitment to faith and philanthropy.
3. The Madam C.J. Walker Story by Madam C.J. Walker
Written by Walker herself, this autobiography offers insights into her personal beliefs, the challenges she faced, and her motivation behind the businesses she founded and her charitable contributions.
4. “Madam C.J. Walker: Faith and Entrepreneurship” by Dr. Cheryl D. Hicks
A scholarly article that delves into Walker’s entrepreneurial spirit and how her Christian faith influenced her business and philanthropic work.
5. The Madam C.J. Walker Family Archives (www.madamcjwalker.com)
This official website includes biographical details, historical context, and information about Walker’s faith and philanthropy, offering valuable resources for understanding her legacy.
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