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2TRACINGTHEFOOTSTEPSOFALEGACYTracingtheFootstepsofOnebiographerhascalledthelegacyofMadameC.J.WalkertheStoryofaRemarkableWomanandindeedwetheownersofMadameC.J.WalkerEnterprisescanthinkofnobetterdescriptionfortoberemarkableistobeworthyofnoticeunusualandextraordinary-adjectiveswhicharemostaproposindescribingthewomanMadameC.J.Walkerandherlegacy.OvercomingabjectpovertytobecomeAmericasfirstfemaleself-mademillionaireisindeednoteworthy.ToaccomplishsuchafeatinthemidstofJimCrowisunusual.Tohavebeenthedaughterofex-slavesorphanedat7educatedonlythroughthethirdgrademarriedat14awidowedsingleparentbytwentyandtoneverthelessbecomebytheageof46theownerofaCorporation-whichenabledthousandofotherAfrican-Americanwomenandmentoraisethemselvesupoutofpovertysgrip-istosaytheleastextra-ordinaryThereforeweatMadameC.J.WalkerEnterprisesInc.wouldberemissinourdutytoupholdandperpetuatethisphenomenallegacyifwefailedtoacknowledgeandcommemoratetheCentennialAnniversaryofthecorporategenesisofMadameC.J.WalkersManufacturingCompany.TracingtheFootstepsMadameWalkermovedherever-expandingSpecialCorrespondenceCoursebusinessfoundedonherSystemofBeautyCulturetoIndianapolisIndianaonFebruary191910.Shethenpurchasedandpaidforherhomeadjoiningwhichwasafactoryandlaboratorylocatedat640N.WestSt.SheendearedherselftothecitizensofIndianapoliswhenshecontributedoutright1000.00toestablishtheSenateAvenueY.M.C.A.ItisreportedthatshewastheonlywomantomakesuchadonationMadameWalkerherselfwhenreferringtotheY.M.C.A.donationhadthistosayInreferringtothatgiftof1000.00IdontwantyoutolaysomuchstressonitanddonotsaythatIamtheonlyone.YoumightsaythatIwasthefirstandcausedotherstoawakentothesenseoftheirdutyinhelpingdeservingcausesforthebenefitoftherace.NotlongafterhermovetoIndianapolisMadameWalkeralsobecameamemberofBethelA.M.E.ChurchoneoftheoldestandmostinfluentialchurchesintheblackcommunitytowhichMadameWalkercontributedgenerously.InlessthantwoyearsaftermovingtoIndianapolisonSeptember21911MadameC.J.WalkerpetitionedtheIndianaSecretaryofStatetobecomeincorporatedandonSeptember19th1911-exactlyoneyearandsevenmonthssinceherarrivalinIndianapolis-theMadameC.J.WalkerManufacturingCompanyofIndianaIncorporatedwasestablishedMadameWalkernamingherselfPresidentandsoleownerofall1000sharesofstock.AfterMadames1919passingherHairCareManufacturingCorporationwasusedascollateraltosecurethefinancesneededtobuildwhatistodayknownastheMadameWalkerTheatreBuilding.Completedinlate1927theWalkerBuildingBeautySaloncontinuestooperatethereandtosellMadameC.J.Walkersoriginalhaircareproducts.Yearslaterin1982theTrusteesofMadameWalkersTrustwoulddepositalargeportionoftheMadameC.JWalkerManufacturingCompanysbusinessrecordshistoricaldocumentspicturesandmemorabiliawiththeIndianaHistoricalSocietywhotookonthetaskofpainstakinglyorganizingandpreservingtheMadameWalkerlegacy.Seventy-fouryearsaftertheIncorporationoftheMadameWalkerCompanyin1985the1000sharesofcapitalstockofMadamescorporationweresoldtoamannamedRaymondL.RandolphmakinghimthefirstpersonsinceMadameWalkerherselftoownall1000sharesofstockintheMadameWalkerCompany.AgraduateofAttucksHighSchoolMr.Randolphhadneverdreamedthathewouldbecometheownerandcaretakerofthisphenomenallegacy.InhonorofMadameC.J.WalkerMr.RandolphplacedMadameWalkersimagebackonthejarsofallheroriginalhaircareproductswiththewordssince1911placedunderneathit.DoingbusinesstodayasMadameC.J.WalkerEnterprisesInc.thehaircarecompanyfoundedbyMadameC.J.WalkercontinuestomanufactureandsellheroriginalqualityproductsensuringthatthelegacyofthisremarkablewomanneverdiesTracingtheFootstepsofaLegacyofthismagnitudebringsnewmeaningtohavinglargeshoestofillbutneverthelessitisindeedapathworthwalking