Convention of Madam C. J. Walker Agents (1924)

Convention of Madam C. J. Walker Agents (1924)

AP African American Studies Guide

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Topic 3.9

R. E. Mercer, A Photograph of a Convention of Madam C. J. Walker Agents at Villa Lewaro, Irvington, New York (1924)

Black and white photograph of a large group of people, mostly women, posed around the exterior of a large Italianate style mansion. The figures are arranged on the building's multi-level balconies, stairs, and around a rectangular pool on the ground level. The photograph is mounted on a piece of gray cardboard that has sustained loss at the top right and bottom right corners. In the bottom right corner is black script that is partially missing.


Source: A photograph of a convention of Madam C. J. Walker agents at Villa Lewaro, in Irvington, New York, in 1924, taken by R. E. Mercer (Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)

Villa Lewaro was built in Irvington, NY, by Vertner Tandy for Madam C. J. Walker, and completed in 1918. Walker used the estate as a meeting place for major African American figures and, as pictured here, conventions for her cosmetic and hair care business.