Introduction
Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker are two renowned entrepreneurs in the African American beauty industry. Indeed, the two women contributed significantly to American history. Each of the two women worked in developing hair care and cosmetic products in the US. Because of their innovations, young African Americans were able to get jobs in Malone’s and Walker’s businesses. Therefore, the contributions of both Annie and Malone to the African American beauty business cannot be ignored.
Annie Malone
Annie was raised in Metropolis, Illinois, having been born to parents who were formerly slaves. She grew up as an orphan and understood African women’s challenges in sexist American society. (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). From her tender age, Malone realized that the beauty of an African American woman depended not only on grooming and appearance but also on her personal style. To Malone, a black woman’s elegance indicated her class and social status (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). Additionally, Malone acknowledged that improving hair health could positively impact the life of an African American. These reasons and her passion for styling her sister’s hair motivated Malone to develop products to enable women to adapt to the society that judged them based on American beauty standards (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). As evident, Malone’s contribution helped in making the African American woman adapt to the prejudice that existent in the American society.
The challenges that Malone faced resulted from the biased societal view of women at that particular time. Among the major challenges that she faced was discrimination of two kinds. Firstly, she faced racial discrimination because she was of African descent. Secondly, Malone faced gender discrimination, not only from the White society but also from fellow African Americans. With great determination to succeed, Malone started experimenting with chemistry and established a successful business after developing products broadcasted to help improve scalp health and promote hair growth (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). Products that are associated with Malone include scalp preparations, and her famous Hair Grower. Malone later moved to Missouri in 1902 and started her beauty college, Poro College Company (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). A cosmetics school trained young African Americans to sell Malone’s hair custom products. Significantly, Malone’s struggle showed her strong spirit to thrive despite the challenges that she faced.
Madam C.J. Walker
Walker is another American figure whose childhood life was similar to that of Malone. She was a daughter to former slave parents who died at Walker’s tender age. Walker lived in Delta, Louisiana, before relocating to Mississippi’s Vicksburg after the death of her parents (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). Due to economic, racial, and familial challenges, she moved from Vicksburg to St. Louis, where she found employment as a laundress (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). Compared to Malone, Walker’s early childhood life was characterized by many challenges.
In St. Louis, Walker was determined to succeed in her business aspirations. She struggled to make her own hair while experimenting with solutions. Walker enrolled at Malone’s Poro College Company and then became the company agent (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). The earlier struggles with her hair and the basic training from Poro College inspired Walker to start making and selling her own products. Walker moved to Denver to sell Malone’s products and changed her name to Madam C.J. Walker after developing her products (“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker”). Like, Malone, she opened a factory and college which she called Lelia College in Pittsburgh. The struggles experienced by Walker showed her resilience and strong will to succeed in her endeavors.
Conclusion
In summary, both Malone’s and Walker’s stories show the rise from the humble beginnings of two American entrepreneurs. Malone and Walker were determined to succeed in their ventures despite the challenges they faced. The stories inspired not only young African Americans but also the entire populace of American women. Interestingly, the two African Americans’ life struggles continue to encourage everyone around the world, even today.
Work Cited
“Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker: Pioneers of the African American Beauty Industry.”National Museum of African American History and Culture.