Madam Walker

NARRATOR 1: This Indiana Bicentennial Minute is made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg Devault.

A black and white portrait of Madam C.J. Walker appears on screen, followed by images of Madam Walker cosmetics.

JANE PAULEY: Born Sarah Breedlove in Louisiana in 1867, her parents had been slaves, but it was in Indianapolis as Madam C.J. Walker that she built her beauty empire.

A historical photograph of a brick building with The Madam C J Walker MFG Co” painted on its side is shown, followed by images of a hair salon and women sitting at school desks and working behind sales counters.

JANE PAULEY: In 1910 she built a factory, hair salon, laboratory, and a beauty school, training her beauty culturists in sales. She gave prizes to the highest sellers but also to those who gave the most to charities.

Images appear on screen, including Madam Walker driving in a car, people marching, and Madam Walker with her family.

JANE PAULEY: In New York she helped organized the Silent Protest Parade, drawing 8,000 to protest a raid that claimed 39 black lives. Just 51 when she died Madam Walker left two-thirds of her future profits to charity.

Text on the screen reads visit indianahistory.org for more information, with portrait of Madam C.J. Walker in the background.

JANE PAULEY: I’m Jane Pauley with this Indiana Bicentennial Minute.

NARRATOR: Made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg Devault.