Madame C.J. Walker

The daughter of newly freed slaves, Madame C.J. Walker became the nation’s first African American self-made millionaire.  She said of her journey, “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…I have built my own factory on my own ground…I am not ashamed of my humble beginning. Don’t think because you have to go down in the wash-tub that you are any less a lady!”  Upon her death in 1919, Ms. Walker gave over two thirds of her estate to charity.
Photo: inventors.about.com