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A Story of Resilience, Empowerment, and Breaking Barriers
Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
There are moments in life when you come across a story so inspiring that it makes you question what you’ve been holding back.
Watching Self Made, inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker on Netflix was one of those moments for me. Madam C.J. Walker’s incredible journey from poverty to becoming the first African-American self-made millionaire is a powerful proof to the resilience, ambition, and unwavering determination of a woman who refused to let the world define her. Her story is an emotional rollercoaster, one that reflects the power of perseverance and the impact one person can have when they dare to dream big and break barriers.
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As working women, we face a multitude of challenges—whether it’s societal pressures, systemic biases, or the personal struggles of juggling career and family. But Madam C.J. Walker’s story serves as a profound reminder that the obstacles we face don’t have to be roadblocks. Instead, they can become stepping stones to something greater. Watching her navigate the complexities of her life and build an empire from the ground up left me feeling empowered, motivated, and reminded of the importance of resilience in our own journeys.
Here are 10 reasons why this remarkable story should be on your watchlist:
1. A Powerful, Resilient Protagonist
Madam C.J. Walker, portrayed by Octavia Spencer, is the embodiment of resilience. Starting from a life of hardship and working through unimaginable obstacles, she transformed her life and became one of the most influential businesswomen in history. Her story highlights that true strength isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about getting back up and continuing to push forward, no matter what life throws your way. According to Masten (2001), resilience is a key factor in human development, with individuals demonstrating “ordinary magic” by adapting and bouncing back from adversity.
2. Breaking Through Societal Barriers
As an African-American woman in the early 20th century, Walker faced the compounded struggles of both racism and sexism. Her success shows us that resilience isn’t just about fighting one battle, but about overcoming systemic barriers that are designed to keep us down. Her story is a powerful lesson in how breaking societal norms and expectations can be the key to true empowerment. Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004) describe how individuals can experience post-traumatic growth by overcoming such hardships, leading to personal and professional breakthroughs.
3. Entrepreneurship and Empowering Women
Walker didn’t just build a business; she built a legacy. She created a brand that not only empowered her but also empowered the women who worked for her, many of whom were African-American. This series is a reminder that success isn’t just about what we can achieve for ourselves, but about how we can lift others up along the way. Deci and Ryan’s (1985) self-determination theory emphasizes how motivation and empowerment, particularly in leadership, are fueled by autonomy, competence, and relatedness—values Walker embodied through her business.
4. Persistence in the Face of Rejection
Throughout her journey, Walker was met with rejection, skepticism, and failure. But instead of giving up, she used those moments as fuel to keep going. The series reminds us that setbacks don’t define us—they are just part of the journey. Nickerson (1998) discusses confirmation bias, where people often ignore contradictory information, leading them to give up on their goals. Walker’s story exemplifies the opposite: the ability to persevere despite facing doubts and setbacks.
5. Empathy and Leadership
Walker’s leadership was built on empathy and understanding. She didn’t just want to be a successful businesswoman—she wanted to create opportunities for others. Her ability to empathize with her employees, particularly the women she helped empower, is a crucial part of her success. Emotional intelligence, particularly empathy, is a key element of effective leadership, as highlighted by Goleman (1995), who notes that leaders who understand and respond to the emotions of others can build stronger, more cohesive teams.
6. Personal Transformation Through Business
Building her business wasn’t just about making money—it was about self-discovery and personal growth. Madam C.J. Walker’s journey was just as much about transforming herself as it was about building an empire. Watching her overcome her own doubts and insecurities is a powerful reminder that the path to success is also the path to personal growth. Cooley (1902) discusses the concept of the looking-glass self, where our identities are shaped by how we perceive others see us. Walker’s evolution was deeply tied to how she viewed her own potential and her ability to empower others.
7. A Legacy Beyond Wealth
Madam C.J. Walker’s success wasn’t just measured in wealth—it was measured in the legacy she created. She used her success to help improve the lives of others, particularly African-American women, and laid the groundwork for future generations of female entrepreneurs. Her story teaches us that the true measure of success isn’t how much we accumulate, but how much we give back. Masten (2001) explains that resilience and the ability to grow through adversity often results in individuals contributing meaningfully to their communities, leaving behind a lasting impact.
8. The Importance of Support Systems
Walker didn’t do it alone—she had a team of supporters and allies who helped her along the way. Whether it was her loyal employees or her own family, she understood the importance of having a support network. This is a crucial reminder for all of us: we cannot—and should not—do everything by ourselves. Success is often a collective effort. Ross (1977) discusses the importance of social support in overcoming adversity and achieving personal and professional success, highlighting that we are stronger together.
9. Breaking Stereotypes
Madam C.J. Walker broke countless stereotypes about what women—especially African-American women—could achieve in a world dominated by white men. Her story is a call to arms for all women who face limitations due to their gender, race, or background. She proved that our potential is not defined by our circumstances but by our willingness to break through barriers. Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004) explain how overcoming adversity leads to post-traumatic growth, and Walker’s life is a perfect example of this.
10. Educational Empowerment
One of Walker’s greatest contributions was her commitment to education. She used her platform to teach other women, showing them that knowledge and self-reliance were the keys to empowerment. Self Made highlights the importance of education—not just formal schooling but also the education of one’s mind and spirit. Deci and Ryan’s (1985) self-determination theory underscores the role of education in fostering independence, helping individuals achieve their full potential.
Personal Notes from the Author
Watching Self Made deeply resonated with me. I saw reflections of my own journey in Madam C.J. Walker’s story—beginning in a world that doubted me, facing setbacks, judgment, and challenges while building my first entrepreneurial venture. Her relentless determination against all odds reminded me of the power of perseverance, even when the path forward is uncertain. In the end, I sold my project to Turkey’s biggest media group. Watching this series brought back a wave of memories—both good and difficult. While I was fortunate not to face racism, there were still countless barriers to overcome.
What stood out most about Madam Walker’s journey was her unwavering persistence in the face of rejection and bias. Society often tells us we’re not enough, not capable, not worthy, especially as women. Yet, seeing her navigate the hardships of being a woman entrepreneur reinforced a powerful truth: these barriers only define us if we allow them to. Success is built on resilience, empathy, and the unwavering belief that no matter where we start, we have the power to rise.
Her story reminded me again the power of lifting others up. It is all about building a legacy, investing in others, and using our success to create space for others to thrive. And this is a powerful reminder to empower those around us as we grow, because true success is collective, not individual.
References
Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer Science & Business Media.
Nickerson, R. S. (1998). Confirmation bias: A ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises. Review of General Psychology, 2(2), 175–220.
Cooley, C. H. (1902). Human nature and the social order. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238.
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books.
Ross, L. (1977). The intuitive psychologist and his shortcomings: Distortions in the attribution process. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 10, pp. 173–220). Academic Press.
Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18.
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