Hair Apparent presents GREAT HAIR READs: the book of the month featuring topics related to hair care, hairstyling and beauty industry success stories. Today, it is my pleasure to share with you one of the best books written on one of my inspirational mentors and heroes, Madam C. J. Walker -- the legendary African American entrepreneur, a self-made beauty industry millionaire mogul, business woman and philanthropist.
It's very fitting to end the last blog I will write for Hair Apparent with ON HER OWN GROUND, The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker (Scribner, 2001), written by her great-great grand daughter, A'Leila Bundles. Ms. Bundles draws from more than two decades of exhausting research with exclusive access to personal letters, records and never before-seen photographs from the family collection. Madam Walker managed to overcome astonishing odds: building a storied beauty empire from the ground up, amassing wealth unprecedented among black women and devoting her life to philanthropy and social activism. ON HER OWN GROUND is the first comprehensive biography of one of history's most amazing entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Madam C. J. Walker is truly and African American Icon.
Ms. Bundles explains to Hair Apparent viewers in a response to a previous blog, " Madam C.J. Walker's original intention and purpose for developing a hair care system was to promote hair growth, improve hygiene and grooming for women of African descent. The five products she introduced in 1906 were a vegetable shampoo, 'Wonderful Hair Grower', an ointment with sulpher that healed the rampant scalp diseases and dandruff that resulted from infrequent cleansing. Glossine, used to moisturize and prep the hair for hot comb services, Tetter Salve prevented dandruff and Temple Salve, a stronger version of Wonderful Hair Grower."
Once you have read this amazing and inspirational biography you too will be - In the Know! There is truly nothing blocking YOU , the African American community from achieving any business, personal, financial or spiritual growth you desire - but yourself people! A direct quote from Madam C. J. Walker sums it all up:
"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 Walker, National Negro Business League Convention, July 1912
Reference: 2007, A'leila Bundles/www.madamcjwalker.com
It's been a great journey that will continue on the Diane Da Costa's American Beauty Tour 2008 coming to a city near you February 9, 2008! God Bless!
Comments: (8)
Add a comment
By: D on 11/12/2007 3:32PM
I concur!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: chas jr on 11/12/2007 1:58PM
These were the times when Black people hung together and we was tough made do with nothing . we was determined to make it . education and entprenuership was the thing back then and being a woman it was harder.Black men got voting rights even before White women so a Black woman really caught hell. I'll read this book.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Mario on 11/13/2007 3:29PM
I find it so ironic that this article was not more publicized and there are no more bloggers on this matter. But we love to comment on the mess and foolishness like a T I. Black people let us please come up! This type of article should take the place of a Juanita Bynum.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: May on 11/14/2007 4:06AM
What's going on? Are we no longer going to have a hair blog? Why are you not going to write the blog, Diane?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Dre on 11/15/2007 10:24PM
I want hair care information not history!!! Where is the old blog!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Dre on 11/16/2007 12:26PM
I understand what you are trying to say. But I don't think you understand; this blog is not as good as the old one. I want to see suggestions for different products. I want to see suggestions for different hair types. I don't care about celebrities. Most of them don't know what their overpriced hairdresser is putting in their hair nor do they care to admit that it a weave to begin with.
Most of us know our history. There is a lot more going on in the world since Madam CJ Walker graced our presence.
Not everyone is black. It’s a mixed world out there!!
I saw the previous blogs and I feel that this blog gives salad and water, not meat and potatoes! It just doesn't cut it!
Dre
Good judgment comes from experience, and a
lotta that comes from bad judgment.
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:05 am
Subject: Re: Black Voices Blogs: New comment on Great Hair Reads: 'The Life & Time...
You cant know about hair care unless you know your history...read all the hair care info on Hair Apparent previous blogs.
Textured Curly Rating System Over several products listed and rated
Noxin - hair loss treatments
Healthy Hair For Relaxers
Healthy Hair For Natural Hair
Color Trauma
FAQ on Hair Coloring
FAQ on Twisting & Texturizing
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: May on 11/17/2007 6:39PM
I just want to know why BV can't seem to keep a blogger for a hair blog. This is an important factor. I hope I'm not the only "product junkie" out there that has learned about new products. Does anyone out there have any suggetions for a good hair blog?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: nic on 11/25/2007 8:34AM
I agree. Why can't AOL keep any hair bloggers? I thought coilygirly was really great and then she disappeared. Diane De Costa (no offense) didn't do as good of a job. I'm not interested in the history of hair ( I can read a book for that), I am interested in current styles, products and services. I hope they find a new blogger soon (preferably NOT a celebrity name dropper)
Reply to this Comment | Report This