Advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker Products (1906–1950)

Advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker Products (1906–1950)

AP African American Studies Guide

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Topic 3.9

Advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker Products (1906–1950)

A broadsheet advertisement (folded into four parts, with crease marks/breaks) entitled "From a Slave Cabin to Riches and a Benefactress to Her Race." Features images of glamorous Black women at the top left, top right, and bottom left corners, and a large building (presumably a department store) in the upper middle of the advertisement.
A broadsheet advertisement (folded into four parts, with crease marks/breaks) entitled "Attractive Faces and Beautiful Hair are the symbols of success!" Features a light-skinned Black woman putting on makeup at top and an array of makeup products along the sides and bottom of the ad.

Source: An advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker products, ca. 1906–1950, probably printed after her death in 1919 (Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)

Discussion Questions

  1. What was the significance of Madam C. J. Walker’s “From a Slave Cabin to Riches” slogan and personal story? What kind of sources might tell you whether this story had its intended impact on the Black community? 
  2. According to these advertisements, how did Madam C. J. Walker give back to the Black community?
  3. What were the features of “Attractive Faces and Beautiful Hair,” according to this advertisement?