Madam C. J. Walker Quotes

Madam C. J. Walker (American - Activist)

 

December 23, 1867 - May 25, 1919

 

ⓒ wikipedia

 

 

 

As I bent over the washboard and looked at my arms buried in soapsuds, I said to myself, 'What are you going to do when you grow old and your back gets stiff?' This set me to thinking, but with all my thinking I couldn't see how a poor washerwoman was going to better my condition.

 

 

 

In a dream, a big black man appeared to me and told me what to mix up for my hair. I made up my mind I would begin to sell it.

 

 

 

I have built my own factory on my own ground, 38 by 208 feet. I employ in that factory seven people, including a bookkeeper, a stenographer, a cook and a housegirl.

 

 

 

I had little or no opportunity when I started out in life.

 

 

 

I have made it possible for many colored women to abandon the washtub for a more pleasant and profitable occupation.

 

 

 

I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it!

 

 

 

Don't think that because you have to go down in the wash-tub that you are any less a lady!

 

 

 

I want the great masses of my people to take a greater pride in their appearance and to give their hair proper attention.

 

 

 

I feel that I am in a business that is a credit to the womanhood of our race.

 

 

 

Everybody told me I was making a mistake by going into this business, but I know how to grow hair as well as I know how to grow cotton.

 

 

 

I have always held myself out as a hair culturist. I grow hair.

 

 

 

The girls and women of our race must not be afraid to take hold of business endeavor and, by patient industry, close economy, determined effort and close application to business, wring success out of a number of business opportunities that lie at their very doors.

 

 

 

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.