By Krystle J Bailey
Sara Spencer Washington, more commonly known as “Madame Washington” was a historic figure in South Jersey history.
As an African American woman, Madame Washington shattered glass ceilings at every opportunity, creating a legacy that has lived on for decades since her passing in 1953. Sara Spencer Washington was originally from Beckley, Virginia, only making her way to Atlantic City as a young adult in pursuit of healing for her sick mother.
The young dressmaker relocated to the Jersey Shore, where it was widely believed that the ocean air possessed healing properties for the sick. Washington began her career in South Jersey as a hairdresser in 1913 when she opened a beauty salon on Arctic Avenue. She quickly became highly regarded as a hairstylist in her community. Washington became frustrated by the lack of beauty products for African American women and took it upon herself to create a solution.
In 1920, she founded the Apex News & Hair Company. Apex was a hit, quickly growing well beyond the Atlantic City shoreline and into twelve other states, the Caribbean, and South Africa. Washington was named one of the world’s top ten businesswomen in 1939 at the New York World’s Fair.
Atlantic City historian Vicki Gold has been quoted as saying, “I’ve always valued her (Washington) as an activist, businesswoman, creator, marketer and innovator. I thought she checked all the boxes, and she did it against a lot of odds in those days with prejudice and segregation. She managed to rise above it and command everyone’s respect.”
Washington went on to become one of the country’s first African American millionaires and was inducted into the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame.
Madame Washington was a fierce advocate for the African American community. During her remarkable life, Washington founded Apex Rest, a senior living facility in Atlantic City as well as a local, racially inclusive, golf course.
To rival the segregated parades happening across town, Washington founded the historical NorthSide Easter Parade on Arctic Avenue that was all inclusive.
We continue to celebrate Madame Washington this Women’s History Month, honoring the life and legacy of such a dynamic South Jersey woman.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
