Madam C. J. Walker Builds a Business

By Rebel Girls and Denene Millner

From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes a story based on the life of Madam C.J. Walker, America's first female self-made millionaire.



Sarah is the first person in her family who wasn't born into slavery in Delta, Louisiana. But being free doesn't mean that Sarah doesn't have to work. She cooks, she cleans, she picks cotton, she does laundry, and she babysits. And when she works, she wraps up her hair.



One day, Sarah's hair starts to fall out! It's itchy, crunchy, patchy, and won't grow. Instead of giving up, Sarah searches for the right products. And then she invents something better than any shampoo or hair oil she's used before. Her hair grows and grows! That's when she decides to rebrand herself as "Madam C. J. Walker," and begins her business empire.



Madam C. J. Walker Builds a Business is the story of a leader in the hair care industry, but it's also an inspiring tale about the importance of empowering women to become economically independent.



This historical fiction chapter book includes additional text on Madam C. J. Walker's lasting legacy, as well as educational activities designed to encourage entrepreneurship.



About the Rebel Girls Chapter Book Series

Meet extraordinary real-life heroines in the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls chapter book series! Introducing stories based on the lives of extraordinary women in global history, each stunningly designed chapter book features beautiful illustrations from a female artist as well as bonus activities in the backmatter to encourage kids to explore the various fields in which each of these women thrived. The perfect gift to inspire any young reader!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebel Girls
• Release date: Nov 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781733329231

Rebel Girls

REBEL GIRLS is a global, multi-platform empowerment brand dedicated to helping raise the most inspired and confident generation of girls through content, experiences, products, and community. Originating from an international best-selling children's book, Rebel Girls amplifies stories of real-life women throughout history, geography, and field of excellence. With a growing community of nearly 20 million self-identified Rebel Girls spanning more than 100 countries, the brand engages with Generation Alpha through its book series, award-winning podcast, events, and merchandise. With the 2021 launch of the Rebel Girls app, the company has created a flagship destination for girls to explore a wondrous world filled with inspiring true stories of extraordinary women.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Mama parted Sarah’s hair into three sections: one in the front, two in the back. Sarah wiggled as Mama started at the root and worked her way to the ends. She loved feeling her mama’s fingers in her hair.

"Sit still, wiggle worm, Mama said. Sarah’s older sister, Louvenia, sat off to the side, scratching her freshly-done braids. She made faces at Sarah until Mama gave Lou a sharp look. Cut it out, Lou. Sweep the porch if you ain’t got nothing better to do."

Sarah Breedlove, the littlest of five siblings, was her family’s hope for the future. Born in 1867, she was the first member of her family who hadn’t been born into slavery. Now she would be the first to go to school.

Even though Sarah was only five years old, last harvest season she had bent down right next to Mama, Papa, Lou, and her three older brothers, Alexander, Owen, and James. The whole family had pulled fluffy cotton planted in neat rows that stretched beyond the horizon. Sarah remembered sweating in the hot sun. Sometimes the prickly parts of the plants would poke right through her fingers. But Sarah kept right on working, filling her bag no matter how heavy it got. She knew her family could not survive without it.

After her hair was close to perfect, Mama put Sarah to bed and hummed a lullaby.

You, chile, are going to school tomorrow. No more cotton picking for my baby. You’ll be bigger than all these fields. Bigger than the Mississippi River.

The thought made Sarah smile as she drifted off to sleep.

The Breedloves couldn’t always pay for what they needed, like food, shoes, or home repairs. During the winter, cold air crept through gaps in the rough wooden walls where the slats did not quite meet. But that year’s cotton harvest had been bountiful. The whole family got new clothes and shoes, and Pa finally bought oil to fix the squeaky cabin door. Best of all, Mama and Papa could finally get married!

It costs a hundred dollars to tie the knot, Mama said, grinning as she shook the rattling jam jar. Guess how many dollars I got here?

A hundred! Sarah and Louvenia chorused, dancing their way around Mama’s feet.

They held the ceremony right there in the backyard under the trees. Mama’s eyes sparkled as she stood in her best dress, holding Papa’s hands.

The pastor sweated, fanning himself as he read from his big, black book.

Sarah squeezed Louvenia’s hand on one side and her brother Alexander’s on the other. Pastor looks like he swallowed a bug, she whispered.

Shhh! hissed Louvenia.

Alexander’s body shook as he snorted to keep from laughing.

After the ceremony, out came rickety tables and chairs scattered across the grass. Neighbors filled the yard. They brought piles of food that made Sarah’s mouth water. An old man strummed on a banjo sitting in the cool shade. Children shrieked with delight, playing hand-clapping games in the field nearby.

Then came Mama’s cake. It was sweet and thick with crinkles at the top. Mama sliced a piece special for Sarah. As she let the sugar dissolve on her tongue, Sarah felt that life, like Mama’s cake, was the sweetest it could be.

On the first day of school, Mama wrapped up a biscuit in a piece of cloth and tucked it into Sarah’s pocket. Then Papa walked her down the road to the schoolhouse.

Sarah’s heart beat faster when she let go of Papa’s hand and stepped into a dimly lit room with wide open windows. She marched right up to her teacher to introduced herself.

Hello, ma’am. I’m Sarah Breedlove, she said.

"Why hello, Sarah! It’s lovely to meet you.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

amazing-women, Black-African American-history, businesswoman, feminist, biographical-novel, rebel-girls, woman-entrepreneur, women-in-history, women-of-color, millionaire, *****

Rebel Girls has a new series!
This time it's fictionalized biographies of women who have made a difference and written for a primarily elementary school audience. Madam C.J. Walker was born in a bad time for everyone in the US, especially Black folk and all women. By the time she died in 1919 she had turned a cottage industry into a major business serving the women with special needs hair and the Beauty Culture industry.
The illustrations by Salini Perera are beautiful, delightful, imaginative, and colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Rebel Girls via NetGalley. Thank you!

[jennybeast · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm really impressed with this short biography -- doesn't shy away from some of the uglier parts of history (lynching), and celebrates Madam CJ Walker's bright, stubborn spirit. She was such a powerhouse, and never stopped fighting for her community. Very inspiring.