Oprah Winfrey
Birth: January 29, 1954
Location: Oprah was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. But later on she moved with her father to Nashville. After entering Tennessee State University in 1971, Oprah moved out on her own in 1976 to Baltimore, Maryland. In Maryland is where she started to host a TV show called People Are Talking. After eight years hosting the show she got picked up by a Chicago TV station that offered her to host her own morning show and she did.
Early Life: Oprah Winfrey’s mother was a maid named Vernita Lee and her father was a war veteran that was a barber and businessman named Vermon Winfrey. Growing up she wasn’t born into the middle class or even being rich. She was raised in a troubled neighborhood by her single mother where Oprah was being sexually abused by several male relatives and friends. According to IMDb, “At the age of thirteen Oprah ran away from home, this was due to her years of abuse and at the age of fourteen she became pregnant with an ill son who died shortly after birth. Oprah took the death of her son as she was given a second chance in life. Oprah's mother sent her to live once again with her father in Nashville, Tennessee. Oprah's father was very strict and made education the number-one priority for Oprah.” In 1986, Oprah Winfrey started hosting her own national show called the Oprah Winfrey Show. According to biography, “With its placement on 120 channels and an audience of 10 million people, the show grossed $125 million by the end of its first year, of which Winfrey received $30 million. She soon gained ownership of the program from ABC, drawing it under the control of her new production company.”
Contributions and Significance: Oprah Winfrey became the first African-American woman to become successful in a TV show. She gained many viewers and became an instant millionaire when she aired her Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah has contributed by donating to charities and helping those in need. According to Al Sharpton in New York Times, “Oprah, for African-Americans, became the person who made America comfortable with a black presence in their living rooms on a daily basis, and she was able to do it in a way that brought us dignity…She was thoughtful and professional.” Oprah has contributed to America by giving other a chance to have a bright future and expressing the importance of education. She has her own foundation called the Oprah Winfrey Foundation where she has donated millions in support to families in the United States and around the world. Her causes can go to support education to helping the less fortunate.
Today's Impact: Today, Oprah still has an impact on people all over the world, not just the United States. She continues to help others, especially children and shows a commitment to do what she can to help those who don’t have it easy. She is a generous and very professional woman. According to CNN Oprah has said, “I have such a deep affection for this country, because of all that the people of this country have been through. In spite of the suffering, in spite of apartheid, the spirit of the country and the people in it is still so strong. Madeva (ph) is my strongest living mentor. I want to be like him when I grow up.” She has changed many lives and has a broad impact on people who are inspired by her works. She has accomplished many achievements she set forth for herself and is known nationally by many people.
Why You Chose this History Maker: I chose Oprah Winfrey because she is an African-American woman who became big and inspirational and not only that but she has made so many contributions to America and around the world by helping others. I think that is amazing and that really interested me that she has a good heart and being wealthy as she is, she continues to give away millions in charities, organizations, and programs that have a good cause in helping children and families. She is a African-American woman that will always be remembered in history and has and will continue to make an impact on America.
Location: Oprah was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. But later on she moved with her father to Nashville. After entering Tennessee State University in 1971, Oprah moved out on her own in 1976 to Baltimore, Maryland. In Maryland is where she started to host a TV show called People Are Talking. After eight years hosting the show she got picked up by a Chicago TV station that offered her to host her own morning show and she did.
Early Life: Oprah Winfrey’s mother was a maid named Vernita Lee and her father was a war veteran that was a barber and businessman named Vermon Winfrey. Growing up she wasn’t born into the middle class or even being rich. She was raised in a troubled neighborhood by her single mother where Oprah was being sexually abused by several male relatives and friends. According to IMDb, “At the age of thirteen Oprah ran away from home, this was due to her years of abuse and at the age of fourteen she became pregnant with an ill son who died shortly after birth. Oprah took the death of her son as she was given a second chance in life. Oprah's mother sent her to live once again with her father in Nashville, Tennessee. Oprah's father was very strict and made education the number-one priority for Oprah.” In 1986, Oprah Winfrey started hosting her own national show called the Oprah Winfrey Show. According to biography, “With its placement on 120 channels and an audience of 10 million people, the show grossed $125 million by the end of its first year, of which Winfrey received $30 million. She soon gained ownership of the program from ABC, drawing it under the control of her new production company.”
Contributions and Significance: Oprah Winfrey became the first African-American woman to become successful in a TV show. She gained many viewers and became an instant millionaire when she aired her Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah has contributed by donating to charities and helping those in need. According to Al Sharpton in New York Times, “Oprah, for African-Americans, became the person who made America comfortable with a black presence in their living rooms on a daily basis, and she was able to do it in a way that brought us dignity…She was thoughtful and professional.” Oprah has contributed to America by giving other a chance to have a bright future and expressing the importance of education. She has her own foundation called the Oprah Winfrey Foundation where she has donated millions in support to families in the United States and around the world. Her causes can go to support education to helping the less fortunate.
Today's Impact: Today, Oprah still has an impact on people all over the world, not just the United States. She continues to help others, especially children and shows a commitment to do what she can to help those who don’t have it easy. She is a generous and very professional woman. According to CNN Oprah has said, “I have such a deep affection for this country, because of all that the people of this country have been through. In spite of the suffering, in spite of apartheid, the spirit of the country and the people in it is still so strong. Madeva (ph) is my strongest living mentor. I want to be like him when I grow up.” She has changed many lives and has a broad impact on people who are inspired by her works. She has accomplished many achievements she set forth for herself and is known nationally by many people.
Why You Chose this History Maker: I chose Oprah Winfrey because she is an African-American woman who became big and inspirational and not only that but she has made so many contributions to America and around the world by helping others. I think that is amazing and that really interested me that she has a good heart and being wealthy as she is, she continues to give away millions in charities, organizations, and programs that have a good cause in helping children and families. She is a African-American woman that will always be remembered in history and has and will continue to make an impact on America.