Women’s Leadership: Crafting Your Own Destiny Beyond “Que Sera, Sera”, Whatever will be, will be.
There’s an old song, sung by Doris Day, that’s become iconic. You’ve probably heard it, or at least you’ve heard the phrase:
“I asked my mother, what will I be?
Will I be pretty, will I be rich?
Here’s what she said to me:
Que sera, sera.
Whatever will be, will be.
The future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera.”
It’s one of those songs that sort of gives you a comforting feeling. It suggests that, no matter what happens, we should let life unfold the way it’s supposed to. But there’s something unsettling about it too. What if “whatever will be” isn’t enough? What if life doesn’t deal us a good hand? What if, instead of smooth sailing, we face hardship, loss, or poverty? Can we just sit back and say “whatever will be, will be”?
For women especially those from difficult or poor backgrounds the stakes are high. It’s not just about surviving, but about striving for more, doing more, becoming more. And sometimes, in the face of adversity, one woman comes along and shows us how we don’t have to just accept the cards we’re dealt. We can change our story.
Let me tell you about Madam C.J. Walker, a woman who rose from nothing and became a symbol of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and resilience. Her journey shows that while we can’t control everything that happens to us, we absolutely can control how we respond to it.
A Childhood of Struggle
Madam C.J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 in Delta, Louisiana, into a world that didn’t give her much to work with. Her parents, who had been enslaved, lived a life that was hard, lonely, and filled with struggle. Sarah lost both her parents before she turned seven, and after that, she was on her own, bouncing between family members. By the time she was a young woman, Sarah was married, but her first husband died when she was just 20 years old, leaving her to raise a daughter on her own.
Life was tough, and survival was the focus. She worked as a laundress, cleaning clothes for pennies. Her hands were worn and sore from the harsh work, but Sarah had an undeniable spirit. Even though her life was filled with hardship, she never gave up on the idea that things could get better if not for her, then for her daughter.
When Sarah started losing her hair, it was more than just a beauty concern it was personal. In a world that placed so much value on appearance, especially for women, losing her hair felt like losing her identity. But instead of letting it get her down, Sarah took action. She started experimenting with different products and remedies to treat her scalp and restore her hair.
What began as a personal solution turned into something bigger. She started sharing her homemade formula with other women, and soon, she realized she was onto something. There was a market for a hair treatment specifically designed for Black women, women who had been largely ignored by the beauty industry.
It wasn’t just about the products; it was about creating something that women like her could rely on, something that would make them feel valued and empowered.
Building an Empire
Sarah changed her name to Madam C.J. Walker and began selling her products door to door, first in her neighborhood and then in other communities. She wasn’t just selling a product; she was offering women a chance at independence, a way to earn money and take control of their lives.
As her business grew, so did her vision. She opened a manufacturing company, created a training school for other women to learn how to sell her products, and hired women to work for her, giving them a chance at something more than they’d ever dreamed of.
Despite the struggles, she became one of the first women in America to build a fortune on her own. She started the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, creating hair care products for African American women. Her hard work and determination paid off, and by the time she passed away in 1919, she was one of the wealthiest self-made women of her time. Her net worth was estimated to be between $600,000 and $1 million back then, which is worth millions today.
Her legacy lives on as a reminder that no matter where you start, you can achieve greatness.
But Madam Walker’s success wasn’t just measured in wealth. It was about the impact she had on the lives of others. She used her success to give back to her community, funding scholarships for Black students, supporting charitable organizations, and even becoming involved in the fight for civil rights.
Lessons from Madam Walker’s Legacy
Madam C.J. Walker’s story is one of defying expectations. She was born into poverty, surrounded by challenges, yet she built a business empire that still stands as an inspiration today. Her life teaches us valuable lessons:
1. Your background doesn’t define your future.
Madam Walker didn’t let her early life dictate her destiny. She may have started with nothing, but she didn’t let that stop her from building something remarkable.
2. Success is better when it’s shared.
Madam Walker didn’t just build a company for herself. She built opportunities for other women empowering them to achieve independence and success in their own right. Her legacy isn’t just about her wealth; it’s about lifting others up along the way.
3. Don’t wait for the perfect moment create it.
Madam Walker didn’t wait for life to give her a break. She took matters into her own hands. Even when life seemed to hand her obstacle after obstacle, she kept pushing forward. She created her own opportunity, and that’s what we can all learn to do.
Turning “Que Sera, Sera” Into “I Will Be What I Choose”
Madam Walker’s story reminds us that we don’t have to simply accept what life throws at us. We don’t have to wait for “whatever will be, will be.” Instead, we have the power to take control of our futures, to shape our own paths, and to choose our own destinies.
Yes, there will be times when life feels uncertain. There will be times when things don’t go the way we want. But that’s when we get to decide what happens next. Will we stand still and accept the hand we’ve been dealt, or will we use our strength, creativity, and resilience to rewrite the story?
The next time you hear “que sera, sera,” don’t just accept it. Instead, ask yourself: What will I make of my future? What can I do, right now, to shape the life I want to live?
Madam C.J. Walker did it. She started with nothing, built something extraordinary, and made a lasting impact on the world. And you can do the same. The future isn’t something that just happens to us. It’s something we create.
I Believe In You Girl
