Reed, Linda2018-03-012018-03-01May 20132013-05May 2013http://hdl.handle.net/10657/2701This thesis considers the influence black beauty industry mogul, Madam C. J. Walker, held in both the business and political worlds from the turn of the century until her death in 1919. Included within are explorations of the construction of Walker’s unique political ideology, her business model and practices, and her commitment to philanthropic engagement. Walker’s contributions to concepts of identity for black women in this period and her role in the renegotiation of black beauty ideals are also considered, revealing Walker as one of the most powerful race leaders of her generation and worthy of careful study.application/pdfengThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).Walker, Madam C. J.Breedlove, SarahHair careBeautyBlack NationalismRace UpliftAfrican Diaspora2018-03-01Thesisborn digital