Louisa May Alcott

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Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832 in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. In her early years, she was inspired to write by her parents, Amos Bronson Alcott and Abigail May Alcott. Her father, Amos, who was an abolitionist, owned a Temple School for children. She had three sisters. The oldest sister's name is Anna Alcott Pratt and two younger sisters- Elizabeth Sewall Alcott and Abigail May Alcott Nieriker. However, when she wrote her very first literature work, she was in her early adulthood.She lived during the Civil War, which were very hard times. The war was mostly when Louisa was older; in her thirties. Louisa also tried to help many women during this time by her literature because during this war, many women were treated as if they were not as good as men were. For example, the only good jobs women can do is cleaning around the house, cooking meals, and being a mother. They were never encouraged to follow their dreams and go their own paths. They were expected to do what they were supposing to- have kids and work in their house while the husband works away from home. They didn't have any choices as men did. In that case, Louisa decided to go her own way and become a writer. She never wanted to just work around the house cleaning, sewing, and other women's chores, so she decided to do what she loved best- write. She took her first step on the path to her dream in 1847, age 15, when she started to go into poverty with her family. She knew that she had to do something for the family. Connecting to the quote above, Louisa wanted to do something for her family and that something was her writing. However, that's only one of the reasons why Louisa started her novels. This was important because if her parents never went into poverty, she wouldn't have a reason to start her success!

Louisa May Alcott has inspired everyone with her books for young women and girls. Even though she was born in 1832, and died in 1888, she has changed many people just with poems, books, and other literature. However, what made her be so special to be in the Women Hall of Fame? Well, obviously, she's not only my hero, she has many people that also look up to her. That's only one reason though and there are many more personal reasons. However, before I start talking to you about her fame and achievements, I want to tell you what a hero is in my point of view. A hero to me is someone that inspires you and encourages you to do better. Don't take my word, but if no one encouraged me to do better, I would be lost! For example, my parents are also my heroes because they guide through the first 18 years of life. In that case, to me, they are my heroes because they encouraged me to achieve my goals and beyond.

Obviously, she is from America. She was inspired to write her books by her own hero- her parents- kind of like how my parents inspire me. She wrote 270 books, including a well-known book called Little Women. She grew up in Pennsylvania, also born there. During her time, there was a lot of discrimination against women. With me being a female, this means a lot to me that she is sticking up for every woman in America. She proves to everyone that women can achieve the same goals just as good as males. Those women can have the right to have any job they can do, if they tried hard enough. Just by her writing her own book and writing what she believed, proved to everyone that she has achieved her goals, worked just as hard as a man would, and kept believing no matter how bad times were. She's my hero.

From my definition, which states a hero in my own point of view, is someone or something that inspires you, encourages you to do better, and saves you in some type of way, but was also inspired to do better in some type of form or way by someone or something else. Louisa was inspired by her life situation as I was talking about before and she was trying to do better in life. By doing this, she has become a hero herself and now has inspired others to do the same- become a better person. Everyone is at least someone else's hero in some way, even though they don't realize it or don't realize that they have majorly influenced a life. Why she has affected most women, including me, is because she showed the life of a woman in most of her books. For example, in the book Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, was told by a young girl and how her life was during different periods. When most people read this, they think, "Wow, women were really treated differently back in that time period." She is the only person I knew of that wrote about this. That has inspired me because I would never have the time to write tons of books on her situations that existed back then but not now.

Louisa's legacy is that she improved people to see that women can have the right to vote and even go to college. In addition, they can have a job of their choice. The advice that I give you today, comparing with Louisa May Alcott, is that you can achieve anything you want too. Most of the people who have done great things had very poor lives, but even if you don't have a stinky life, you can help with our world too! Picking up litter, planting new plants, and saving electricity is saving our world- so you're technically a hero! Look up to someone that inspires you positively. Someone that has done a great thing in life. Then, you will be motivated to do better. For example, whenever I feel like I'm no use in the world, I help my mom because that way I am being useful. My mom did the same thing- helped my grandmother when she was sick. She has inspired me to be more like her. However, now it's your turn!

"My book came out; and people began to think that topsy-turvy Louisa would amount to something after all." -Louisa May Alcott, 1855