Helen Keller – Author, Political Activist, and Lecturer

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart” Helen Keller once said. Despite being blind and deaf, Helen Keller did not let her disabilities limit her potential. She was the first blind-deaf person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, and she dedicated her life to helping others achieve similar goals. An inspiration to the people of her generation, Keller continues to inspire and amaze people today. From the age of eight until her death in 1968, Keller was a prominent figure, and she will always be remembered as an amazing American author, political activist, and lecturer.

Helen Keller – Writer, Advocate, and Speaker

Helen Adams Keller was born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Her parents were Kate Adams Keller and Colonel Arthur Keller, and her siblings included a sister, Mildred Keller, and a brother, Phillips Keller, as well as two half-brothers, William and James Keller. Helen was in good health until she was 19 months old, when she was stricken by an illness that some believe was scarlet fever. This illness left her blind and deaf. Education became very challenging until a young woman named Anne Sullivan entered her life. Anne taught Helen how to communicate, starting with the word "water," which she taught by placing Helen's hand under a faucet. In 1890, Helen began speech classes at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf in Boston. From 1894 to 1896, she attended the Wright-Humason School for the Deaf in New York City, and in 1896, she attended the Cambridge School for Young Ladies. Helen documented her life story in numerous books, including "The Story of My Life" (1903), "Optimism" (1903), "The World I Live In" (1908), "My Religion" (1927), "Helen Keller’s Journal" (1938), and "The Open Door" (1957). Despite the challenges she faced during her childhood, Helen became more outspoken as she grew older and gained more knowledge.

Helen Keller's Political Activism

As Helen Keller learned more and became more vocal, she joined various groups and became a political activist. The first group she joined was the Socialist Party in 1909, where she contributed significantly until 1921. Many of her speeches focused on women's suffrage and the impact of war. Helen also supported eugenics, especially concerning people with mental disabilities. The eugenics movement traces its roots back to the late 19th century when Charles Darwin's cousin, Sir Francis Galton, coined the term. The theory suggested that human characteristics and afflictions could be bred out of the human race. Helen's close friend, Alexander Graham Bell, also supported eugenics with her. Helen was also a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, also known as the Wobblies. In 1912, she joined this group and wrote for them from 1916 to 1918. In her book "Why I Became an IWW," she explained that her motivation for activism was partly driven by her concern for blindness and other disabilities. Helen firmly believed in advocating for women's rights and cherished the support of everyone who helped her spread her message through her powerful speeches.

Helen Keller as a Lecturer

Helen was also a significant lecturer, and many people were intrigued by how she delivered lectures even with Anne Sullivan's assistance. Although Helen could speak, her speech was not always clear, so Anne would interpret for her. This process was exhausting for Anne. One of Helen’s first lectures was at the Mabel Tainter Memorial Building in Menomonie, Wisconsin, where she traveled with Anne Sullivan. During this lecture, she spoke about the optimism of hope, good cheer, loving service, and happiness. Everything she said in this lecture was reported by the Dunn County News on January 22, 1916. In most of her lectures, Helen shared her joy in life and expressed gratitude for her achievements. She derived immense satisfaction from helping others. At the beginning of each lecture, Anne would recount the story of how she met Helen and their shared challenges and accomplishments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Helen Keller will always be remembered as an extraordinary author, an inspiring political activist, and a remarkable lecturer. She achieved incredible feats that many thought impossible. Helen consistently stood up for her beliefs and did not let her blindness and deafness hinder her. Her legacy continues to inspire boys and girls worldwide, encouraging them to surpass their limits. Many people still look up to her today, including me. I hope that one day we all find peace and acceptance for extraordinary individuals like Helen Keller.

References

1. Keller, H. (1903). The Story of My Life. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co.
2. Keller, H. (1903). Optimism. New York: T. Y. Crowell & Co.
3. Keller, H. (1908). The World I Live In. New York: The Century Co.
4. Keller, H. (1927). My Religion. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Co.
5. Keller, H. (1938). Helen Keller’s Journal. New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co.
6. Keller, H. (1957). The Open Door. New York: Doubleday & Co.