(December 23, 1867-May 25, 1919)
Birth name was Sarah Breedlove
Manufactured cosmetics and hair care products catering to African Americans

She first married at 14 and became widowed at 20.
She divorced twice.
Contrary to popular belief, she did not invent the straightening comb.
The formula for her hair tonic came to her in a dream.
Women working in her beauty salons were called 'hair culturists.'
Her products were criticized for conforming black women's hair to a white beauty standard.

She was the first member of her family born into freedom.
She became orphaned at just 7.
Her company presented an alternative to black ladies who were relegated to domestic work at the time.
She used personal wealth to promote other black business owners and support causes focused on civil rights.
The Guinness Book of World Records credited her as the first American female self-made millionaire.

Credit: Black Chic

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• BC/Black Chic's Profiles [Series 02]
• Black Heritage Commemorative Stamp Series (Ranked: 1998)
• Ebony Magazine's 10 Most Unforgettable Black Women [1990]
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• I am Known by My Initials
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• I Died in 1919 (Ranked: 51)
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