The Untold Story of Annie Turnbo Malone - (First But Forgotten) by Artika R Tyner (Paperback)

About the Book

"Most people know about Madam C.J. Walker's success selling hair care products for Black women in the early 1900s. Before she started her own business, though, she worked for Annie Turnbo Malone. Malone had built a huge business creating hair care and cosmetic products for Black women. With key biographical information and related historical events, this Capstone Captivate book will uncover Malone's story and show how it connects to Walker's story."--

Book Synopsis

Most people know about Madam C.J. Walker's success selling hair care products for Black women in the early 1900s. Before she started her own business, though, she worked for Annie Turnbo Malone. Malone had built a huge business creating hair care and cosmetic products for Black women. With key biographical information and related historical events, this Capstone Captivate book will uncover Malone's story and show how it connects to Walker's story.

Review Quotes

Before Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks, there were Larry Itliong and Sarah Keys Evans. These are two of the civil rights pioneers spotlighted in this series of unsung heroes who fought against unfair labor practices, racist transportation policies, school segregation, and, in the case of Sarah Keys Evans, used her wealth to create new opportunities for marginalized communities. While their stories failed to capture the attention of mainstream history books, their contributions led to later, greater achievements. This series helps place the well-known civil rights victories in a larger narrative, broken up by large images and text boxes with interesting facts. Each book includes a glossary, an index, and further reading. VERDICT Civil rights victories didn't come easily, and this series helps young readers understand that. -Recommended.--Cathy DeCampli, Haddonfield Public Library, NJ "School Library Journal"

Born in 1869, Annie Turnbo Malone experimented with hair-care formulas and invented new products, which she sold door-to-door to other Black women. She moved the business, named Poro, from Illinois to Missouri two years before the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where many new customers discovered Poro products. The company grew dramatically, creating lucrative jobs for Black women. Malone became wealthy and gave generously to help people in need within Black communities. Madam C. J. Walker, whose hair-care career followed a similar trajectory, began as a Poro agent. The biographical narrative is very readable and concise while bringing in enough information to help readers understand its historical context. Vintage photos appear throughout the book. A strong choice for the First but Forgotten series (4 titles), which introduces historical figures worth knowing.--Carolyn Phelan "Booklist"