The story of Madam C.J. Walker is that of resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering faith in the power of self-determination. As the first self-made female millionaire in America, she turned adversity into opportunity and shattered ceilings that many didn’t even know existed. Her legacy inspires me as a young Black woman trying to be an entrepreneur because it demonstrates that greatness can emerge from even the most humble beginnings. Sarah Breedlove was born in 1867 to formerly enslaved parents, and her life has been filled with struggle ever since. She lost her parents by the age of seven, married at fourteen, and became a widow at twenty. But she took it all and turned it into the fuel that propelled her achievement. Struggling with hair loss, she experimented with cures for hair loss, which led to the development of her breakthrough hair care products, which were built with Black women's needs in mind. The innovation was more than just beauty; it was about empowerment. Madam Walker provided Black women with the tools they needed to feel dignified and confident in a world that consistently tried to tell them otherwise. What inspires me the most is Walker's vision for improving her community. She not only achieved personal success, but she also used her riches and influence to push for racial equality and financial freedom. She hired thousands of Black women as sales agents, allowing them to earn a fair living salary during a time when they were scarce. She also made significant donations to Black institutions, endowing civil rights organizations, and supporting young women's education. Leadership expanded beyond her business foundation to include the community and the struggle for justice. For me, leadership is about using one’s influence to create opportunities for others and driving change that outlasts one’s lifetime. Madam C.J. Walker epitomized this. She never saw her achievement as a personal journey; rather, she saw it as a tool for mutual progress that could inspire others. Her legacy continues to inspire us to persevere, be creative, and give back. As someone who aspires to develop a global hair care company, I frequently reflect on Madam Walker's journey. She reminds me that my goals are legitimate and attainable, especially in the face of institutional obstacles. Her ability to turn personal issues into multimillion-dollar businesses inspires me to turn my own struggles into opportunities for creativity and success. Madam C.J. Walker's life is one of inspiration, revolution, and change, as she provided opportunities and improved people's lives via her ingenuity. In Black History Month and beyond, I've chosen to honor her as a brilliant example of resilience and leadership in the face of hardship, which continues to inspire dreamers like me.

Since childhood, I’ve known that I wanted to help people—whether by supporting my friends during tough times or being the person others turn to for advice. This desire to bring positive change has always been inside me. As a child, I took pride in being a source of comfort and guidance, which naturally led me to pursue a career that allows me to continue helping others. Though I didn’t know the details at first, I always knew my path was to help people. At 13, my interest in psychology first took shape. Personal problems challenged me, and understanding the human mind and emotions became crucial, as I found them both empowering and intriguing. This was a time when I began to read about mental health and how life events take different courses in shaping our thoughts and behaviors. Through psychology, I realized I could use my sympathetic nature and interest in human behavior to make a real difference. The more I delved into this whole world of psychology, the more it sounded like a calling—just something that clicked. Since then, I’ve committed to pursuing psychology as my career. It’s not just a passing interest; it has grown into a passion. Everything I learn about mental health, counseling, and the brain deepens my fascination. I vividly remember studying the different fields of psychology and feeling drawn to clinical psychology. Helping individuals through life’s toughest challenges—when their mental and emotional well-being is at risk—felt like the perfect way to make a lasting impact. This feeling stayed in me during my entire high school career and later on led me to pursue higher education in psychology. Although I’ve always been interested in psychology, particularly clinical psychology, I now know that it’s my career path, as I’m actively pursuing a psychology major at Pitt Community College. It gives me deep purpose to know I can help others overcome life’s challenges and improve their well-being. The science of understanding human behavior, the mind’s processes, and emotions aligns with my skills and my core desire to support others. My life experiences have driven me, too, into this pursuit. Having faced challenges and overcome them, I understand the importance of receiving support and guidance through mental health struggles. This experience has fostered in me deep empathy and a firsthand understanding of the commitment needed to help others. The career that has resonated with me is psychology—ever since I was a child, I’ve wanted to help people. My desire to positively impact others by understanding their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions is as strong now as it was when I was 13. Each step I take in completing my degree and pursuing a career in clinical psychology brings me one step closer to realizing a childhood aspiration.

My mother has had a significant impact on my life, particularly her decision to homeschool me. I'm extremely appreciative of the time and effort she invested in my schooling and professional goals. Homeschooling provided a unique opportunity for me to properly understand how I study best, which I would not have been able to find in a typical school situation. For example, I can do well using the Pomodoro Technique. This strategy consists of working in 45-minute chunks, followed by a 15-minute break. This repetition helps me stay on track without feeling pressured. In most cases, school has a rather rigid schedule and so cannot accommodate individual demands. However, homeschooling allowed me to experiment with strategies like this one as an added bonus to my academics. One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling was graduating early. Unlike my peers born in 2006 who graduated in 2024, I graduated a year earlier, in 2023. This was a head start in education and professional development. I am proud of this accomplishment, which reflects my mother's dedication to my education. Traditional schooling does not normally allow for grade skipping or early graduation, so I would not have been able to complete it as early as I did. I am grateful to my mother for allowing me to continue at this pace and achieve this milestone much earlier. My mother also assisted me in continuing my studies beyond high school. She funded a variety of courses, granting me credentials that were essential for my admission into numerous institutions. The certifications not only improve my résumé, but they also serve as proof that I will successfully complete my college coursework.  With the aid of my mother, I've been able to establish a solid academic foundation for my future. However, now that I am in college, I confront a new set of problems. My FAFSA paid for my studies but did not include the expense of living as a student. Since I've only lived here for nine months, I'm considered out of state, so I’ll use any funds to cover my housing expenses and focus on my education without financial stress. Looking back, I realize how much my mother has shaped who I am, both academically and personally. Without her assistance, I would not have been able to complete tasks ahead of schedule, pursue certificates, or even receive the opportunity to attend college. She allowed me to study in ways that were comfortable for me, and as a result, I've grown into the person I am today. I am thankful, but much more grateful for her efforts and the time she spent parenting me.