Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is a great example of how the roles of women have changed in the past century. Oprah has prospered in life greatly and has risen up from a poor childhood of abuse and molestation. Oprah was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi where she was raised by her grandmother. She ran away from home at age 13 to a juvenile center but was declined because there was not enough beds. So as a last resort she moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she lived with her dad. Her dad was very strict on her making her read and do book reports weekly, always pushing her to be the best she could be. Oprah attended college at attended Tennessee State University, where she majored in Speech Communications and Performing Arts. Her father's high standards inspired her to aim for and achieve more from life. Oprah became involved in several groups and pursued her interests in media and journalism while at school. Even though her early years in life where filled with hardship, she was always gifted with intelligence and she graduated as an honors student.

Oprah began her talk show career in 1976, she moved to Baltimore to join WJZ-TV news as a co-anchor, and in 1978 discovered her talent for hosting talk shows when she became co-host of WJZ-TV's "People Are Talking," while continuing to serve as anchor and news reporter. In January 1984, she came to Chicago to host WLS-TV's "AM Chicago," a faltering local talk show. In less than a year, she turned "AM Chicago" into the hottest show in town. The format was soon expanded to one hour, and in September 1985 it was renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Seen nationally since September 8,

1986, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" became the number one talk show in national syndication in less than a year. In June 1987, in its first year of eligibility, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" received three Daytime Emmy Awards in the categories of Outstanding Host, Outstanding Talk/Service Program and Outstanding Direction. In June 1988, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" received its second consecutive Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Talk/Service Program, and she herself received the International Radio and Television Society's "Broadcaster of the Year" Award. She was the youngest person and only the fifth woman ever to receive the honor in IRTS's 25-year history.

Oprah started her own production company called HARPO Productions, making her the first woman in history to own and produce her own talk show. Oprah is the world's richest woman mainly because of the popularity of her talk show. Her net worth is about $1 billion dollars. Oprah has lived her life to her motto "it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always." Oprah's talk show is unrivaled in popularity it is shown in over 100 other countries. Oprah's show is so popular because it created a reputation for tackling causes in her programs and ventures that other leading media and entertainment companies ignore. She is most interested in productions that no one else will do because the topics are not sensational enough. Because of Oprah's economic status and because of her other talents, she brings things to the screen that no one else will be able to do. She can develop or buy something that no one else will think is commercially viable because she thinks the message is important and people should see it. "If we can make money, great. And if we don't, well, there are other reasons to do projects besides making money." One of the

most influential projects Oprah has tackled are literacy an on-air reading club she started in September 1996, "Oprah's Book Club," boosted book sales so dramatically that she quickly became the most important book marketer in any communications medium. Books featured on her show have often been shot to the top of the best-sellers list.

Oprah is very generous donating millions of dollars to charities every year and even opening her own charity. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation was established to support the inspiration, empowerment and education of women, children and families around the world. Through this private charity, Oprah has awarded hundreds of grants to organizations that carry out this vision. She has contributed millions of dollars towards providing a better education for underserved students who