Who was Helen Keller?
Helen Keller was an American author, activist, and lecturer who became deaf and blind at 19 months old. She learned to communicate with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, and went on to become the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree. She spent her life as an advocate for people with disabilities and other social and political causes, including women's suffrage and worker's rights.
- Early life and education: Keller was born in Alabama in 1880. An illness left her both deaf and blind at 19 months old, and she remained in a world of silence and darkness until she was seven. Her family hired Anne Sullivan, a graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind, who taught her to communicate and read and write. Keller went on to attend Radcliffe College, graduating in 1904 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Activism and advocacy: After graduating, Keller used her international fame to advocate for people with disabilities, supporting access to education and healthcare. She also became a prominent political activist, supporting women's suffrage, worker's rights, and racial equality.
- Key achievements:
- Authored several books, including her autobiography The Story of My Life.
- Co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 1920.
- Traveled to over 40 countries, giving speeches and advocating for her causes.
- Worked for the American Foundation for the Blind for more than 40 years.
- Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.
- Legacy: Helen Keller's life and accomplishments are a symbol of perseverance and tenacity. She is recognized as one of the 20th century's most influential figures for her work in destigmatizing disability and her extensive activism for social and political change.
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