Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey (ikimme.blogspot.com/.../oprah-winfrey-owns.html)

Starvation, A.I.D.S., poverty: these are just a few of the sad realities of the world. I’m sure a vast majority of people in the world are aware of these circumstances, but how many of us help make a difference? “What material success does is provide you with the ability to concentrate on other things that really matter. And that is being able to make a difference, not only in your own life, but in the life of others” (Oprah Winfrey). Oprah was born to Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey on an isolated farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi on January 29, 1954. She was reared by her grandmother till age six when she was moved to Milwaukee with her mother. Ate age thirteen she ran away from the abuse in her home and was sent to go live with her strict father in Nashville. America’s first lady of talk shows, Oprah Winfrey is best known for becoming the most watched daytime show host on television. Needless to say, Oprah Winfrey is a very popular name when the topic of heroism is brought up, but wealth and fame isn’t why I consider her to be my hero. Her determination for change in herself and in others and making a difference in the community is what sets her apart from the rest.

Oprah as a child. (www.jeffreyrobert.com/Oprah.html)

A typical peaceful suburb up bringing was not a reality for Oprah, but her rough childhood only fueled the fire within her to better herself. More than anything else, Oprah is open about her life experiences to inspire those in her position. In many articles it claims she: “Came from a troubled childhood that included sexual abuse and pregnancy when she was fourteen. She traveled from house to house on numerous occasions ran from the abuse in her home.” Running away from her troubled childhood is a symbol for her determination to escape the life she had been dealt. As a result, she rose above poverty and became one of the most successful women in the world. As Oprah reflected back on her childhood she recalled: I don’t think of myself as a poor deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as somebody who from an early age knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good” (Oprah Winfrey). The fact that Oprah was blind to her own disadvantages and only saw what she needed to do explains how she turned out the way she did. Not only does she blind herself to the things that empire her highest potential, but she uses her life experiences to help others. Oprah’s childhood was very much like the saying, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”. That is how Oprah is where she is.

Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School for Girls (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1190275/Tiny-Virginia-Makopo-matron-Oprah-Winfrey-Leadership-Academy-forced-pupil-watch-pornography.html)

Another of the main components in Oprah’s heuristic traits and accomplishments is her huge contributions and hard work into the community and world as a whole, whether it’s money or just service. Even Oprah believes that: “Unless you choose to do great things with it, it makes no difference how much you are rewarded, or how much power you are” (Oprah Winfrey). Without a doubt this is a great motto to live by, because if you have money and advantages there is no reason to not help use them for others. In order to help others in need and be selfless, you must acquire a lot of integrity, but what exactly is the definition of integrity? Oprah’s is: “Real integrity is doing the right thing knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not” (Oprah Winfrey). To me, this is another motto that Oprah lives her life by. It is yet another contribution and factor as to why and how Oprah is so selfless. Oprah’s integrity is a huge contributing factor to her generosity with the community.

Oprah Winfrey (http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/spotlight/tag/oprah/page/2/)

Oprah’s determination for change and involvement in the community truly is heroic. Oprah came from a harsh background of abuse and poverty and rose above it all. Once she became successful she used the money she had earned to help others in need. That kind of heroism is unarguable. Oprah is an inspiration from the clothes she wears to the words she speaks. Her generosity, selflessness, and integrity are more than enough to catch the eyes of anyone.

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