By being an activist for children's rights, running a talk show, and being an important figure in the eyes of many Americans, Oprah Winfrey has impacted Americans across the world by bringing attention to those in need. Many children in Africa are not getting the chance to get an education, a majority of those children are girls. “In sub-Saharan Africa, over 12 million girls are at risk of never receiving an education. In Yemen, it is more than 80% of girls who will never have the opportunity to go to school” (Humanium). However with the influence and voice of one person, Oprah Winfrey, the access to schools is becoming more available to those in Africa. Growing up was not an easy life for Oprah. She was born January 29, 1954. Throughout her …show more content…
Oprah’s father made sure she was well educated by having her write book reports, learning vocabulary, and had strict rules for her as she grew up. She entered into the Elks Club speaking contest and won a full scholarship to Tennessee State University. The following year Oprah Winfrey was invited to the White House Conference on Youth. Oprah was becoming known for her speaking skills. She was offered a broadcasting job that she turned down twice. However, she eventually accepted it and became the first African American female co anchor of the evening news as a sophomore in college at just nineteen years …show more content…
Those girls will appreciate Oprah for the rest of their lives because she gave them an opportunity they originally would not have had. Now more and more girls are going to school and getting the education they deserve. Without the help of Oprah, the school system would still be down and many girls would be at home doing the chores. Oprah did not make the education system perfect. There is still room for improvement. However, she gave hundreds of children a life changing opportunity. Oprah remembers her rough childhood, but the one thing she loved the most was how she was able to go to school. She understands what those children in Africa are going through and that is why she is so compelled to
The definition of a renaissance man or woman is a person who is well educated and sophisticated and who has a talent and knowledge of many different fields of study. Oprah is a show host, actress, philanthropist, and producer. I believe that Oprah Winfrey is our modern day Renaissance woman.
Oprah’s childhood was not the greatest. Her unmarried parents split up, and she grew up on a farm with her grandmother. She developed rapidly and could read before she was three. Also, she was tested out of kindergarten and second grade, thus only taking first grade and skipping to third grade. When she turned six, she started to live with her mother and was very lonely. However, she began her speaking profession around that time. “She was invited to recite poetry at black social clubs and church teas, where she became known as ‘the little speaker.’ At 12, during a visit to her father in Nashville, she earned $500 for a speech she delivered at a church” (“Winfrey, Oprah”). As you can tell, Oprah started young in her profession and was determined to make a living off of this since her prior experiences.
Oprah was born on January 29th, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi to her mother Vernita Lee, a single teenager who works as a maid, and her father Vernon Winfrey, a coal miner, barber, and city councilman. Her name was supposed to be pronounced as ‘Orpah’, from the bible, but because of the difficulty as the pronunciation, she was known as Oprah almost from her birth. Oprah’s parents were unmarried and soon separated after she was born, then left her in the care of
Mississippi Kosciusko, down deep in the south where she was born on January 29, 1954. Oprah Winfrey as a little girl was sexually abused by close family and also friends of the family. After words as she got older Oprah Winfrey went to Tennessee State University, in 1971 to go into working television and radio broadcasting in Nashville. Later on,
Oprah Gail Winfrey may be one of the most known figures in today’s popular culture, who has made an impacted society through her many television shows, movies, publications, and philanthropic efforts, but she will always just be down to earth women trying to make a difference in people’s philanthropic
Oprah has been known as “one of America’s top 50 most generous philanthropist” as she continues to contribute ten percent of her income ($385 million in 2008) to her favorite charities, related to education, youths, and literature. She had donated millions to Tennessee State University which is her alma mater as part of the scholarship funds, The United Negro Fund, to encourage young black Americans to pursue their dreams, and the Harold Washington Library, which is a program for economically disadvantaged Chicago-area young girls.
Winfrey got a job in radio while she still was in high school and began co-anchoring the local evening news when she was 19 years old. Her emotional story delivery eventually got her transferred to the daytime- talk show arena, and after boosting a third- related local Chicago talk show to first place. In 2005, Winfrey was named the greatest woman in American history, The power of Winfrey’s opinions and endorsement to influence public opinion. In April 2014,
Oprah Winfrey is an inspiration to many all around the world. She did not have a very good home life up until the age of 14. She was abused as a child and did not see her mother very often because she was a housemaid who was gone almost every day all day. Vernon Winfrey, Oprah’s father, was a big service in her life when it came to keeping her in a nonviolent manner. Oprah also had her career going for her when she became Miss Black Tennessee at age 17. When Oprah became Miss Black Tennessee she was offered a radio broadcasting job and a full scholarship to Tennessee. Oprah had quite a few talk shows yet she made the most money off her own show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and now has her individual network called The Oprah Winfrey Network. Oprah Winfrey’s influential style greatly impacted those who came after her in the entertainment industry.
In her later teenage years, Winfrey became an out of control adolescent, and had to go live with her father Vernon Winfrey, where she learned more about debate in school. Once she made the move to live with her father, she started to find herself in a new way, and could see herself in a new light. At the age of 16, Winfrey won an Elks Club discussion contest, and was bestowed a scholarship to Tennessee State University. While being a freshmen at TSU, Winfrey was given the chance to start a job at WJZ T.V. However, being a freshmen in college, she had to focus on her studies and took the job once she graduated. In 1976, Winfrey took her job at WJZ T.V and became a co-anchor of the evening news. In 1977, she was promoted to local news and performed on the ABC national morning ...
After a trip to the White House, a local radio show asked her for an interview regarding it. Her voice and speech delivery impressed the radio show so much they offered her a job at the age of 16. Winfrey also won a public speaking contest. She studied speech and acting at Tennessee State University and was then given the job as a news reporter. At 19, Winfrey already made a statement with being the youngest television news anchor and the first African American anchor as well. For 8 years, she was the co-host of “People Are Talking”. In 1984 she hosted A.M Chicago. Her work as Sofia in “Colour Purple” earned her an Academy Award nomination. In 1986 she started the iconic talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”. Later with her continued success in the 1980s she bought the show and started Harpo Productions becoming the third woman to own a major production studio. Winfrey also won two beauty contests. She then launched her own magazine in 2000 and then in 2008 her own television network. Oprah Winfrey soon enough became the first African American female billionaire.
Oprah Winfrey was born in Mississippi to an unwed teenage mother in 1954. Being initially raised by her grandmother until the age of six. A young Oprah was then sent to live with her mother across the country where she was molested from the ages of 9 to 13. After having a miscarriage at the age of 14, Oprah was sent to live with her father where she experienced great success in her high school career, eventually earning a full scholarship to Tennessee State University. Majoring in media, Oprah lands her first broadcasting job while attending college and soon becomes the first African American anchor for Nashville’s evening
Years later when Oprah was 16 she practiced in public speaking and won a speaking competition, the prize was a four year college scholarship at Tennessee State University and graduated with a degree of in Speech Communications and Performing Arts, which was a big thing for someone who lived in poverty.
Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 to humble beginnings in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She was born out of wedlock to Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey. Oprah lived and was raised on a farm with her grandmother. (Garson) Her grandmother taught her how to read at an early age and she was known to read scriptures and poems in local churches. She was always recognized to be a gifted child ("Oprah Winfrey Biography."). At the age of six, Oprah’s life took a turn for the worse. Oprah went to live with her mother and little sister, Patricia, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During period of time that Oprah spent with her mother, she was described as being angry and hostile. However, she had every right to feel that way. (Garson) Oprah was repeatedly molested from the ages of nine to thirteen. Her mother worked long hours as a housekeeper and during those times Oprah would be experience sexual abuse from male relatives and other male visitors that came into her home. At the age of thirteen, Oprah even tried to run away. ("Oprah Winfrey Biography.") In 1968, Oprah became pregnant and was sent to Tennessee to live with her father, Vernon Winfrey. Oprah gave bi...
Although when she was young Oprah was faced with many difficult problems, she stuck to her school-work and pursued her love of teaching (Fry, web). One thing that Oprah is known for is her love of reading, teaching, and learning. This passion has helped her move forward and help others that are less fortunate than herself (Fry, web). These troubling things that Oprah was faced with turned her into a relatable, caring figure that many people would follow.... ... middle of paper ...
One of the most powerful women in the world is Oprah Gail Winfrey. Oprah is one of the richest businesswomen in the world, but she wasn’t always rich and successful. She had a very tough life growing up and didn’t have much money. She has always been a hard worker, and she had a passion for hosting and acting. Oprah is very good at what she does and that’s how she raised to the top of being one of the most influential women in the media.