Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey https://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217575/oprah-winfrey/"Oprah is a wonderful, wonderful person. Who she is on-camera is exactly what she is off-camera.... She's a totally approachable, real, warm person."—Sherry Burns. Oprah Winfrey is well known as one of the richest, and most successful women in society today. However she is often overlooked and not recognized for being the inspirational hero she is. Oprah Gail Winfrey was born into poverty in the small town of Kosciusko, Mississippi, in 1954. As an African American women in the 1950’s it is no surprise that Oprah faced much racism and discrimination even at a young age. At the age of 14 Oprah was raped, causing her to become suicidal and, with her parents split, Oprah’s rough childhood was beginning to rip her life apart. It was then when Oprah moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to live with her dad when she discovered her love for journalism. She began working at a black radio station and from there Oprah started her own talk show which sparked her successful career. Oprah has now gone on to do many amazing things that would have never seemed possible for a black girl from a small town. However, it is not her success that makes her a hero. It is her giving and will to help others that does. Oprah Winfrey deserves to be recognized as a hero because of her ongoing grit and generosity she demonstrates throughout her life.

Oprah quotehttps://www.beliefnet.com/inspiration/galleries/inspiring-graduation-speech-quotes-you-should-know.aspx?p=6Through her life’s struggles, Oprah demonstrates grit and perseverance. Oprah’s grit is first shown when she is born into a tough childhood: “She was born into poverty in 1954 in rural Mississippi and spent many of her formative years living in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ghetto with her divorced mother. As a teenager, her life began a downward spiral marked by sexual abuse and early signs of delinquency that were halted by the reappearance of her father” ("Oprah Winfrey." St. James). This quote briefly describes how Oprah faced problems such as poverty and sexual abuse as a minor. It was at this point in life where Oprah had an important choice to make. She could have either let her troubled life get the best of her, or she could persevere through tough times and life a wonderful rest of her life. Unsurprisingly, Oprah was able to let go of her past and pursue the bright future ahead of her. Oprah career kicked off when she moved in with her dad and now, “Oprah Winfrey is one of the most famous woman in America, and one of the richest. With her own top-ranked talk show, production company, magazine, and a large interest in the Oxygen cable channel, Winfrey is a one-woman media empire” ("Oprah Winfrey." St. James). From poverty to fortune, Oprah showed the world how a black women can achieve any goal with a little perseverance and hardwork. In doing this Oprah spread a message that anyone can accomplish anything as long as they put their mind to it. Oprah’s message has inspired millions and therefore she should be considered a hero.  

Oprah inspiring othershttps://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.inquisitr.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F08%2FOprah-Winfrey.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inquisitr.com%2F3458337%2Foprah-winfrey-says-she-could-use-a-talk-show-right-about-now%2F&docid=-975eSjRejxRSM&tbnid=eq7jbrwJqN2MFM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjT46XY-9_fAhUQD3wKHfqjCn0QMwhRKAcwBw..i&w=940&h=545&safe=strict&bih=715&biw=1536&q=oprah%20winfrey%20talk%20show&ved=0ahUKEwjT46XY-9_fAhUQD3wKHfqjCn0QMwhRKAcwBw&iact=mrc&uact=8Oprah also deserves to be considered a hero for her great charity and generosity towards others. Once Oprah became a nationwide success she went on to become one of the richest women in America. However being rich hardly makes one a hero. It is what she did with her money to help others that makes her a hero: “Always generous with audience gifts, in 2004 she made headlines by giving each of the 270 audience members a new car”  ("Oprah Winfrey." St. James). This random act of kindness shows Oprah’s true character. By giving away a bunch of free cars to people she didn’t even know, Oprah proves herself to be a kind and generous person. In addition to this, Oprah donates millions of dollars to help people in need. One article says. “In 2005, BusinessWeek named her one of America's 50 most generous philanthropists with an estimated $303 million in charitable donations” ("Oprah Winfrey." UXL Biographies). The vast majority of this money went to kids who had a rough childhood like her. Regardless of where the money went $303 million dollars is an insane amount of money to give away. Oprah’s big heart is just one of many reasons Oprah should be considered a hero.

Oprah’s perseverance and generosity characterizes her as a hero to many people around the globe. Oprah once said:

‘“So I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon,’ she said, in closing. ‘And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, 'Me too' again.’” Oprah goal has always been to help those in need. All she wants is to inspire people so they can become a better version of themselves, therefore Oprah Winfrey should be considered a hero.

Works Cited

"Oprah Winfrey." UXL Biographies, UXL, 2011. Student Resources In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2108102441/SUIC?u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=a5c194d8. Accessed 21 Dec. 2018.

"Oprah Winfrey." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Gale, 2013. Student Resources In

Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K2419201318/SUIC?u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=433be901. Accessed 21 Dec. 2018

"Oprah Winfrey." Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2015. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1000151490/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=3a1631d6. Accessed 21 Dec. 2018