Hellen Keller
Hellen Keller
Full Name and Common Aliases
Helen Keller was born as Helen Adams Keller on June 27, 1880. She is often referred to as Helen Keller.
Birth and Death Dates
June 27, 1880 - June 1, 1968
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Author, Lecturer, and Activist
Early Life and Background
Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to Captain Arthur H. Keller and Kate Adams Keller. She was a premature baby, weighing only about 3 pounds at birth. Tragedy struck when Helen was just 19 months old; she contracted an illness that left her deaf and blind.
Her family sought the help of a renowned specialist in Boston, Dr. Henry Leland Haviland, who recommended they consult with Alexander Graham Bell, but it was actually Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe's former pupil, Anne Sullivan, who was hired to work with Helen. Anne Sullivan arrived at the Keller household in March 1887 and began teaching Helen by associating words with objects through touch.
Major Accomplishments
Helen's incredible determination and perseverance led her to achieve remarkable milestones:
She learned to communicate using the manual alphabet (also known as "fingerspelling") and eventually mastered over 60 languages.
In 1890, Helen began attending the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, where she excelled academically and socially.
At Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University), Helen graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904, becoming the first deaf-blind individual to earn a college diploma.Notable Works or Actions
Helen Keller's remarkable story has inspired countless people worldwide. Some notable works and actions include:
Her autobiography, _The Story of My Life_ (1903), which offers a poignant account of her early years and struggles.
Helen co-founded the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) in 1921 to promote services and research for individuals who are blind or deaf-blind.Impact and Legacy
Helen Keller's impact extends far beyond her remarkable personal achievements. She has left an indelible mark on society:
Her tireless advocacy work led to significant improvements in the education, employment, and accessibility of people with disabilities.
Helen became a celebrated international speaker, using her platform to raise awareness about social justice issues, including women's rights, racial equality, and peace.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Helen Keller is widely quoted and remembered for her inspiring life story, remarkable achievements, and profound impact on society. Her quotes, which often emphasize the importance of perseverance, compassion, and self-discovery, continue to motivate people around the world:
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
* "The highest result of education is tolerance."
Helen Keller's legacy serves as a powerful reminder that with determination, hard work, and the support of others, individuals can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Her remarkable story continues to inspire generations to come.
Quotes by Hellen Keller
Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived. The odors of fruits waft me to my southern home, to my childhood frolics in the peach orchard. Other odors, instantaneous and fleeting, cause my heart to dilate joyously or contract with remembered grief. Even as I think of smells, my nose is full of scents that start awake sweet memories of summers gone and ripening fields far away.
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.
Perhaps there is no thrill so great as that which comes with a walk in the freshness of morning air.
A potent force within me, stronger than the persuasion of my friends, stronger even than the pleadings of my heart, had impelled me to try my strength by the standards of those who see and hear.