Happy Birthday Helen Keller
By Aimee Malgapo
Happy Birthday to one of the most inspiring women to grace our world! Helen Keller is a world renowned activist that has made many achievements in her life while being deaf and blind. A few of her accomplishments include co-founding the Helen Keller International, an organization that works to prevent blindness and malnutrition, as well as being the first blind and deaf person to earn a bachelor’s degree from Radcliffe College. She was also the recipient of noteworthy awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Legion of Honor, and the Lions Humanitarian Award. At the age of 21, she wrote her autobiography “Story of my Life,” which later was adapted into an Oscar winning film called the Miracle Worker.
As a political and social activist, she supported women’s right to vote as well as the right to birth control. In 1920, she co-founded another important organization called the ACLU (the American Civil Liberties Union) which is still active today and continues to protect individual rights and freedom for Americans. She also believed in equal rights for Black people, socialism, and anti militarism.
Helen Keller was a world famous speaker and she made an enormous impact on her community as she continued to passionately fight for her beliefs. She inspired people around the world as she traveled to several countries, meeting with their leaders and speaking to millions of people. In 1948, Helen Keller was sent to Japan as America’s first Goodwill Ambassador where two million people came to see her.
She won the hearts of many people and was recognized around the world for her efforts. In Brazil, she was awarded The National Order of the Southern Cross. In 1952, Keller was given the Legion of Honor, the highest decoration bestowed in France. In 1955, the Philippines honored Helen Keller as the first recipient of the Order of the Golden Heart. In 1964, Helen Keller was honored with receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian award someone can attain in the United States.
Helen Keller was a remarkable person who worked tirelessly to make the world a better place. She motivated people to pursue knowledge and was a marvelous advocate for those with disabilities. With her strength, kindness, and devotion to serve others, she is remembered as an incredible leader and a symbol of hope for everyone.
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