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  • March 2007 (Revised April 2011)
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Madam C.J. Walker: Entrepreneur, Leader, and Philanthropist

By: Nancy F. Koehn, Anne Dwojeski, William Grundy, Erica Helms and Katherine Miller
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:50
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Abstract

Madam C. J. Walker, who has been credited as the first self-made African-American woman millionaire, created a hair-care empire after years spent as a laundress in St. Louis, Missouri. Decades before the Civil Rights movement, her company gave employment to thousands of African-American women and marketed its products around the world. Madam Walker was active in the social and political causes of her day, and used her position as a successful entrepreneur to promote philanthropy and self-advancement in the African-American community.

Keywords

Leadership; Business History; Race; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Entrepreneurship; Personal Development and Career; Gender; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Saint Louis

Citation

Koehn, Nancy F., Anne Dwojeski, William Grundy, Erica Helms, and Katherine Miller. "Madam C.J. Walker: Entrepreneur, Leader, and Philanthropist." Harvard Business School Case 807-145, March 2007. (Revised April 2011.)
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About The Author

Nancy F. Koehn

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Related Work

    • March 2007 (Revised April 2011)
    • Faculty Research

    Madam C.J. Walker: Entrepreneur, Leader, and Philanthropist

    By: Nancy F. Koehn, Anne Dwojeski, William Grundy, Erica Helms and Katherine Miller
Related Work
  • Madam C.J. Walker: Entrepreneur, Leader, and Philanthropist By: Nancy F. Koehn, Anne Dwojeski, William Grundy, Erica Helms and Katherine Miller
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