Helen Keller Research Paper

Elissa Hamel
Mrs. Day
Honors World Literature- 7th
6 May 2016 Helen Keller: A World Wonder
To be awarded Time Magazine’s Person of the Century is an amazing achievement! It is an award that speaks for itself. After extensive research, I think Helen Keller is the most extraordinary and inspirational person in American history who deserves the award. She bravely and skillfully overcame being blind and deaf, and showed the whole world what true beauty is. In addition, she is considered the 20th century’s leading humanitarian. One of her quotes sums this up perfectly, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched. They must be felt with the heart” (Helen Keller Quotes).
Imagine a life without being able to see or hear, and not knowing how to communicate with anyone around you. When Helen Keller was just nineteen months old, she got “brain fever”, known today as Scarlet fever or Meningitis, which left her blind and deaf. For six years she lived in darkness and despair until her teacher, Anne Sullivan, came into her life. With Anne Sullivan’s help and guidance, Helen quickly learned to finger spell and could function again in society. Her hands became the link to the world around her. She learned to read, write and even speak. In addition, she learned Braille, the manual alphabet, and she could even use a typewriter. Not to mention, she learned five languages! She saw everyday as something beautiful and new. In her own words she said, “Life is either a great adventure or nothing” (Helen Keller Quotes). Although deaf-blind, Helen became known as the eighth wonder of the world and an iconic figure of our time.
Some might argue Helen Keller is not worthy of the award. Nevertheless, I have found that her accomplishments speak for themselves. She proved anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals with hard work and determination. By the age of sixteen, she spoke well enough to go to preparatory school. Furthermore, Helen became the first deaf-blind person to go to college and earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduating cum laude, she dedicated her life to helping others and improving the world. She felt everyone should feel they belong in our big world, and I could not agree more. Her message was clear, “Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face” (Helen Keller Quotations).
Today, the name Helen Keller is known world-wide as a symbol of courage, and her contributions to society are endless.
Not only was she a driving force for the deaf-blind community, but she also advocated for economic justice and the rights of women, African Americans and all people with disadvantages. In addition, she was an accomplished author and published 13 books and wrote many essays and articles. In her 87 years of life, she met 12 presidents and travelled to more than 39 countries showing the world that people with disabilities could lead full and meaningful lives and that they are just like everyone else. Equally important, she raised money for organizations and started several foundations that continue to improve the lives of blind and deaf people around the world. Her accomplishments do not stop there. But who is counting? In 1964, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon B. Johnson and in 1965 at the New York World’s Fair she was elected into the Women’s Hall of Fame. Helen Keller said, “What a strange life I lead— a kind of Cinderella-life—half glitter in crystal shoes, half mice and cinders! But it is a wonderful life all the same" (Helen Keller Quotations). She found beauty in the simplest of things. Don’t you think we can all learn from that? I cannot think of anyone else in history who has these
accomplishments!
In conclusion, Helen Keller may not have been able to see or hear, but she reached the hearts of millions and continues to be an inspiration to us all.
Rising above her disability with beauty and courage, she inspired others to never give up. It is important to realize that her disability could have made her live in darkness. Instead, she used it as a stepping stone to greatness. Furthermore, Helen Keller was a phenomenon, a miracle, and a blessing with a vision like no one else. She went from an unruly child with severe challenges, to one of the true heroes of our world. Helen remains an influential and respected person even after her death in 1968. In 1999, her name appeared on Time Magazine’s list of the top 100 most important figures of the 20th century. That is a very impressive accomplishment for anyone. Don’t you agree? Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” (Helen Keller Quotes). So, I encourage all of us to come together, open our hearts, and do whatever it takes to make Helen Keller Time Magazine’s Person of the 20th
Century.

Works Cited

Keller, Helen. "HELEN KELLER SPEAKS OUT." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 02 May 2016.
"Helen Keller Biography." American Foundation for the Blind. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.
"Helen Keller Biography." Bio.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 May 2016.
"Helen Keller Biography." Helen Keller Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
"Helen Keller Biography and Facts." Perkins School for the Blind. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.
"Helen Keller Quotations." Helen Keller Quotes and Quotations, Excerpted from To Love This Life, from AFB Press. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2016.
"Helen Keller Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.