06/20/2026
Born in 1867 on a Louisiana plantation, she was the first child in her family born into freedom following the Emancipation Proclamation.
This Juneteenth, SIV celebrates & honors a true trailblazer:
Madam C.J. Walker.
She is officially recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records as America’s first female self-made millionaire.
But her true legacy aligns deeply with our Soroptimist mission she didn’t just build a hair care empire; she established education and training networks that empowered over 20,000 Black women to gain financial independence and control their own destinies. 👑
Today, we honor the resilience of Black women entrepreneurs past and present, and recommit ourselves to fostering a world where every woman and girl has the resources to reach her full potential.