Downtown in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Madam C.J. Walker

1867-1919

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

1. Madam C.J. Walker Marker, Side One

Inscription. Entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove in Louisiana, developed hair products for Black women. In 1910, she moved to Indianapolis, where she incorporated the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company and founded a school of beauty culture. Walker expanded the company internationally, becoming one of the wealthiest self- made businesswomen of the era.

Walker provided economic opportunities for Black women, who were her sales agents and beauty culturists. A philanthropist, social justice leader, and patron of the arts, she contributed to the city's Senate Avenue YMCA, the NAACP's anti-lynching fund, and women's suffrage. Opened in 1927, the Walker Theatre furthered her legacy of social and economic uplift.

Erected 2025 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Indiana Landmarks • Indiana Women's History Association • The Madam Walker Legacy Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 39° 46.576′ N, 86° 10.055′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana

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, in Marion County. It is in Downtown. It is on Indiana Avenue west of Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 655 Indiana Ave, Indianapolis IN 46202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Madam C.J. Walker Building (a few steps from this marker); Madame C.J. Walker Timeline (a few steps from this marker); Black Lives Matter Mural (a few steps from this marker); Sigma Theta Tau International (within shouting distance of this marker); James Overall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Phyllis Wheatley YWCA (about 500 feet away); Indiana Avenue (about 500 feet away); Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Also see . . . About Madam C.J. Walker. Biographical essay by A’Lelia Bundles, Walker's great-great-granddaughter and official biographer. Also includes link to A&E Biography episode about the self-made entrepreneur. (Madam C.J. Walker official website) (Submitted on December 6, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Madam C.J. Walker Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

2. Madam C.J. Walker Marker, Side Two

Madam C.J. Walker Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

3. Madam C.J. Walker Marker

The Madam Walker Legacy Center building is behind the marker.

Madam C.J. Walker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.) (photographers) [Courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

4. Madam C.J. Walker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on February 20, 2025.