"I think loss of loved ones is the hardest blow in life"(Marlo Thomas). Marlo Thomas is often known as the lady who played Ann Marie in the sitcom That Girl, but that's not all she accomplished. She is a large part in changing thousands of children's lives every day in St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She is understanding, generous, and she dedicated her life to helping these families in need. Margaret Julia Thomas was born November 21, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan. She is the oldest daughter of Danny and Rose Marie Thomas, sister of Tony and Terre Thomas, and wife of Phil Donahue. Growing up, she was encouraged to become a teacher, and ended up graduating college with a B.A in education. Later, Marlo moved on to become an actress in a popular show called That Girl, where she played a single, career-minded young woman. This ultimately earned her four Emmys, a Peabody Award, and introduced her to the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Her father founded the charity St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Marlo became a member of the Professional Advisory Board and the National Outreach Director. These factors together, prove how one's attitude and selflessness can make such a difference in one's life. Marlo Thomas serves as a beacon of hope and love because of her bubbly, caring personality and constant compassion towards others.
Marlo Thomas is a hero because of her ability to brighten everyone's day by just spending time with them. One can see how Thomas developed this trait when, written on the front flap of her book, it says, "Born to comedy royalty-TV and nightclub star Danny Thomas- she grew up among legendary funny men, carved much of her career in comedy..." (Growing up). With Marlo Thomas' father, Danny Thomas (being a well-known comic), she was always around other joking men and friends, which shaped her personality. This started as a little girl, but carried into her adult life, as she is still fun-loving and bubbly. This is clear, when Marlo writes about her childhood in her book, giving an example like family dinner time. "Our dinner table was always a raucous affair, with everyone speaking over everyone else, telling stories and laughing" (11). Marlo Thomas grew up surrounded by love and laughter constantly. Her mother was a successful singer until she had children, which she then put on hold to become a stay at home mom. Her father was a famous comic who loved to tell stories all the time. This encouraged and helped Marlo with her acting and writing career, because it showed her viewers how she acted on a regular basis. An illustration of Marlo's personality is given in her show. It was a "...long-running hit series That Girl, which she conceived, produced, and starred in" (Marlo Thomas). Not only was Marlo Thomas the main character of the popular show That Girl, but she also conceived and produced it. The writing and idea of the show proved her confident and bright attitude, giving everyone watching a look into her life and personality, as she played a witty and independent young woman. Marlo Thomas proves her high-spirited character with the way she grew up, and her realistic acting in her hit series That Girl.
Thomas constantly shows how selfless and charitable she is by her volunteering. Being an important factor in starting, and guiding St. Jude Children's Research Center, Marlo Thomas has done so much for the company. One can see this when Julie Jacobs writes in her article, "As St. Jude Children's Research Hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary, national outreach director Marlo Thomas talks about continuing her father's legacy of helping kids in need" (Jacobs). Beginning as a successful woman, with an acting career gave Marlo Thomas an opportunity to be involved in what her father started. Danny Thomas founded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the early 1950's. After Marlo's father, died, she chose to carry on his work and keep helping these children. Thomas is clearly a large part in this whole cause, because "she has served on the Professional Advisory Board and as the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital" (Marlo Thomas). Marlo Thomas dedicated her life to helping children in need. Having her dad in charge of a majority of this charity, gave her the chance to have a big part in working for it. Being part of the Professional Advisory Board means Marlo Thomas is one of many campaigners and guides for the committee. Thomas' work paid off, and one can see all of what she has done when Jacobs then writes, "St. Jude's work has helped increase overall survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 to 80 percent" (Jacobs). St. Jude has been helping so many children in need by raising money and gaining supporters daily. This company has become internationally recognized for their amazing work, success rate, and millions of supporters. Without Marlo Thomas' compassions and selflessness, St. Jude wouldn't be where it is today.
Marlo
Thomas is truly an inspiration to not only me, but also many people all around
the world. She brightens everyone's day with her bubbly and lighthearted
attitude, and compassion towards others. Marlo is an inspiration because of all
of the research she helped with. "She is the driving force behind St.
Jude's annual Thanks and Giving campaign...a national fund-raising
effort..." (Marlo Thomas). It may have taken some time, but she pulled it
off and worked hard to build a strong company to help save millions of lives
and reach their difficult goals. Without Thomas' continuous work and goals,
none of St. Jude Children's Hospital would have been possible. She encourages
all of the patients to keep moving forward, and work through the hard times
they are going through, by giving them someone to look up to. Marlo Thomas is a
hero in more ways than not, and to me it is clear to see her kind heart. I
aspire to one day be as strong and kind as she is.
Works Consulted
"All About Marlo Thomas." St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. N.p., Jan. 2009. Web. May 2.
Dinneen, Marcia B. "Marlo Thomas." Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Thematic Series: Sports Figures. Ed. Arnold Markoe and Kenneth T. Jackson. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. Biography In Context. Web. 2 May 2013.
Jacobs, Julie. "St-jude-marlo-thomas-research-hospital-americanway." :: American Way Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2013.
"Marlo Thomas" Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television. Vol. 95. Detroit: Gale, 2009. Biography In Context. Web. 1 May 2013.
"Marlo Thomas." Whitston Author Biographies (2007): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 1 May 2013
"Marlo Thomas." Wowowow RSS. N.p., 2010. Web. 09 May 2013.
"Quick Fact About St. Jude." St. Jude Children's Hospital. St. Jude Children's Hospital, n.d. Web. 9 May 2013.
"Surviving Cancer." St. Jude Children's Hospital. St. Jude Children's Hospital, n.d. Web. 9 May 2013.
Thomas, Marlo. Growing up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny. New York: Hyperion, 2010. Print.
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Last edited 5/19/2013 12:00:00 AM
