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Oprah Winfrey

by RheaJasmine from San Diego

Oprah Gail WInfrey (http://cdn.hellobeautiful.com/files/2010/01/15_oprah_lg.jpg)
Oprah Gail WInfrey (http://cdn.hellobeautiful.com/files/2010/01/15_oprah_lg.jpg)

A hero is a person who can be admired for their noble qualities, who has brave deeds, who is kind and humble towards others. Someone that looks on the brighter sides of situations, as well as accomplishing their goals with their dreams. A person that shows these qualities is Oprah Winfrey. She dared to overcome poverty and achieve her desire. “American television host, actress, producer, philanthropist. Oprah Gail Winfrey was born January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. After a troubled adolescence in a small farming community, where she was sexually abused by a number of male relatives and friends of her mother, Vernita, she moved to Nashville to live with her father, Vernon, a barber and businessman. She entered Tennessee State University in 1971 and began working in radio and television broadcasting in Nashville”(Winfrey Biography). A hero to me is someone who gives to the people that need, someone who cares to others and tries to make a difference in the world. Oprah shows generosity, and how she became successful independently and inspirational to others.

Beauty Pageant (http://cdn.babble.com/famecrawler/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/oprah-.jpg)
Beauty Pageant (http://cdn.babble.com/famecrawler/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/oprah-.jpg)

"The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy"(James Madison)(Success Quotes). Oprah has shown over the years that she is a independent and successful black women. Oprah grew up in Mississippi, 1954 in great poverty. Oprah has conquered her poverty. Even though she didn't have money she looks on the brighter side. Oprah didn't think just because she didn't have money she can’t do anything. Instead she overcame stereotypes, such as, “because your poor you won’t have money to go to a good college and do anything with your life.”Oprah also made something herself and did something with her life. “At the age of 17 Oprah became a reporter for a local radio station. By 18 Oprah won the Miss Tennessee beauty pageant. Oprah showed up on television in the Newscast and Morning Talk Show "People are Talking". Next Oprah had her own talk show. Oprah didn't just sit back and watch her life pass by, instead she did something with her life. She won a beauty pageant, became a reporter and then had her own talk show. Oprah didn't wait for things to come to her she went to them. Oprah became independent and successful growing up. Oprah overcame anything that was in her way triumphantly, which made her successful and independent.

 (http://www.foxnews.com/images/250743/2_62_oprah_school.jpg)
(http://www.foxnews.com/images/250743/2_62_oprah_school.jpg)

"A healthy democracy requires a descent society; it requires that we are noble, generous, tolerant and respectful.”(Charles W. Pickering).(Success Quotes) Oprah has been generous and considerate towards others and the world. Oprah just doesn't care about people but she also cares and gives to anywhere in the world that danger has occurred to them." In 2002 Oprah initiates ChristmasKindness South Africa2002 in which 50,000 children from orphanages and schools’ received gifts, food, clothing , athletic shoes, school supplies, toys and books. Oprah soon made her Winfrey leadership academy for girls in South Africa." Oprah donated and gave to the people in Africa that aren't as lucky as her. For Oprah to give to the kids in Africa is big-hearted of her. It shows she just doesn't care about herself or the United States but people that don't have great things in life; she is willing to give to them without regret but just the good feeling that she gave the kids in Africa. She shows them that there are people in the world that do care about them. When Oprah built that school in Africa for girls she was being generous to help the girls get a better education and opportunity to be something in life." In 2010, Oprah Winfrey and her non-profit organization, Angel Network donated $1 million to the relief efforts of Haiti." Oprah again gave to the world. Haiti was in a time of help and Oprah generously donated to help Haiti get back on their feet and start over. Oprah is generous to people and the world no matter the cause. She isn't greedy and selfish and just thinking about herself, instead she is giving and generous.

 (http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Angels-in-America_1)
(http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Angels-in-America_1)

To conclude, Oprah Winfrey is a hero at heart. She shows that she is independently successful and generous. She does things for others that no one asks her to do. She is kind- hearted and cares for people. "You face the biggest challenge of all: to have the courage to seek your big dream regardless of what anyone says. You are the only person alive who can see your big picture and even you can't see it all"(Winfrey). Oprah inspires me to be and do something with my life and don't let any obstacles bring me down. I will overcome them and be the best I can be. Oprah inspires me to give to others if they aren't as fortunate as me. She inspires me to see the bigger picture in life and become what I want to be and not what people think of me. Even when people try to bring you down you just ignore them and do what is best for you. Oprah is a hero because she does what is right for the world and others.

GaleNet. Web. 12 May 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/itx/help/MLAStyleHelp.html.

"Oprah's Charity Work, Events and Causes." Celebrity Charity News, Events, Organizations & Causes. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/103-oprah.

"Oprah Gail Winfrey." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 2 May. 2011

"Oprah Winfrey Biography." Biography.com. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.biography.com/articles/Oprah-Winfrey-9534419.

"Oprah Winfrey." NNDB: Tracking the Entire World. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.nndb.com/people/466/000022400/.

Shelton, Sonya. "Winfrey, Oprah (1954-)."Newsmakers. Ed. Sean R. Pollock. Detroit: Gale Research, 1997. Student Resource Center – Junior. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 2 May. 2011

"Success Quotes." Success Quotes, Inspiring Quotes, Motivational Quotes - MotivatingQuotes.com. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.motivatingquotes.com/success.htm.

"Winfrey Biography." Biography.com. Web. 06 May 2011. http://www.biography.com/articles/Oprah-Winfrey-9534419. Winfrey's Official Biography - Oprah.com." Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com. Web. 06 May 2011. http://www.oprah.com/pressroom/Oprah-Winfreys-Official-Biography.

Winfrey, Oprah. "Oprah Winfrey Quotes." Share Book Recommendations With Your Friends, Join Book Clubs, Answer Trivia. Web. 19 May 2011. http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3518.Oprah_Winfrey.

Page created on 5/22/2011 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/22/2011 12:00:00 AM

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