Madam C. J. Walker Quotes
Born: December 23, 1867
Born Sarah Breedlove, Madam C. J. Walker rose from poverty to become America’s first female self-made millionaire, but her true legacy is one of radical love and connection. She believed that true wealth was not just financial, but found in lifting others—especially Black women—through dignity, self-care, and sisterhood. Her philosophy intertwined entrepreneurship with emotional empowerment, teaching that self-love fuels community strength. Walker’s quotes resonate because they speak to the heart of human worth: the courage to believe in oneself, the grace to nurture others, and the power of unity. She remains a timeless voice reminding us that connection is the cornerstone of all prosperity.
Madam C. J. Walker Quotes (23)
"Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them."
— Madam C. J. Walker"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."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I am not satisfied in making money for myself. I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I got my start by giving myself a start."
— Madam C. J. Walker"There is no royal flower strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for whatever success I have attained has been the result of much hard work and many sleepless nights."
— Madam C. J. Walker"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."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I am not ashamed of my past; I am not ashamed of my humble beginnings."
— Madam C. J. Walker"If I have accomplished anything in life, it is because I have been willing to work hard."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it!"
— Madam C. J. Walker"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."
— Madam C. J. Walker"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."
— Madam C. J. Walker"Perseverance is my motto!"
— Madam C. J. Walker"I want to live to help my race."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I want the great masses of my people to take a greater pride in their appearance and to give their hair proper attention."
— Madam C. J. Walker"My object in life is not simply to make money for myself or to spend it on myself in dressing or running around in an automobile, but I love to use a part of what I make in trying to help others."
— Madam C. J. Walker"Don't think that because you have to go down in the wash-tub that you are any less a lady!"
— Madam C. J. Walker"I have always held myself out as a hair culturist. I grow hair."
— Madam C. J. Walker"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."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I have made it possible for many colored women to abandon the washtub for a more pleasant and profitable occupation."
— Madam C. J. Walker"My advice to every one expecting to go into business is to hit often and hit hard; in other words, strike with all your might."
— Madam C. J. Walker"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."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I had little or no opportunity when I started out in life."
— Madam C. J. Walker"I feel that I am in a business that is a credit to the womanhood of our race."
— Madam C. J. Walker