Celebrating a great woman
What I am looking for is not out there. It is in me
Honouring the birth of Helen Keller, today on 27 June we celebrate Helen Keller Day.
Helen Keller was an American author, political activist and lecturer. What was amazing about her was that she managed to do all these things while being both deaf and blind.
Born on this day in 1880 she fell ill at age two and was struck deaf, blind and mute. Her teacher, Anne Sullivan, helped her communicate which later enabled her to go to college. She graduated in 1904. During her lifetime she received many honours in recognition of her accomplishments including the Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an election into the Women’s Hall of Fame, and honorary doctoral degrees from Temple University, Harvard University and the Universities of Glasgow, Berlin and Delhi as well as our own University of the Witwatersrand. She was also named an Honourary Fellow of the Educational Institute of Scotland.
Did you know?
1. Helen Keller loved hot-dogs.
2. She was an excellent typist. She could use a standard typewriter and a braille writer.
3. She loved animals, especially dogs and owned several during her lifetime.
4. She visited 39 countries around the world.
5. She was the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree, graduating from Radcliffe College with honours in 1904.
Helen Keller was a remarkable woman known for her many insights. Here are a few Helen Keller quotes:
“The most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart”
“Waking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light”
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow”
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved”
“What I am looking for is not out there. It is in me”
Take the time today to tell someone about Helen Keller.
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