Oprah Winfrey

What is a hero? Maybe it’s someone you know, maybe they’re famous, or maybe it’s someone you wish could be real. A hero can be any one from a cat to a fireman. You just need to think about what you think a hero is. When you think hard enough you might find the person or animal you’re looking for. My hero is Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi and now lives in Chicago, Illinois. She was raised by her grandmother because her parents split up soon after she was born. When Oprah was six, she went to live with her mom. At fourteen, she went to live with her dad in Nashville, Tennessee. Her dad set down strict rules for her. Some days she would go with out food unless she learned three new vocabulary words. A part of her childhood haunted her. When she was about seven, she was sexually abused by a teenage cousin and his friends. “I was, and am severely damaged by the experience. All the years I convinced myself I was healed I wasn’t,” said Oprah to Redbook

In 1991, a four year old girl was sexually abused and killed. This influenced her to take action and propose a federal child protection legislation, to keep track of convicted abusers. She had help from former Illinois governor James Thompson. She also pursued a ruling that would guarantee strict sentences to whom ever convicted child abuse. Her bill was signed by President Clinton. This stated that they could check the background of prospective employees.

Oprah is not only a hero herself. She did a show on everyday heroes in 2004. She found people who did heroic things and had them come on her show. The people they helped save were either there or on satellite. She has helped millions of people and won many awards. Once she raised $3.5 million to fund college scholarships to students with financial needs. Also she has a partnership with “Habitat for Humanity” which has over 10,000 volunteers building houses for Americans in deep poverty throughout the country

Oprah has made a difference in my life by making me think of the good things I can do. There are many things I can achieve if I just try hard enough. She helps me think of not what I can’t do, but what I can do. I’m not rich now, but if I do get rich, I will use it for good and not just for myself. Oprah possesses many traits of a hero like being compassionate, thoughtful, and generous. I hope I can do just as many good things as she has.