Sarah Breedlove, later Madam C.J. Walker, is born to formerly enslaved parents on a Louisiana plantation.
At a Glance
- Date
- 23 December 1867
- Location
- Delta, Louisiana
- Key people
- Madam C.J. Walker
- Category
- Business & Economy
- Source
- Biographical records · Smithsonian NMAAHC
What It Meant Then
She built a hair-care empire and became one of the first self-made female millionaires in America.
What It Means Now
Walker is celebrated as a pioneer of Black entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Madam C.J. Walker Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/madam-cj-walker-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Madam C.J. Walker Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/madam-cj-walker-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Madam C.J. Walker Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/madam-cj-walker-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.