Oprah Winfrey, American Television Personality,

Oprah Winfrey, American television personality, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, is one of the richest and most influential women in the United States ("Winfrey, Oprah," 2004). Her story is one of triumph despite hardship. Winfrey's education coupled with her tenacity has allowed her to achieve much more than most. This paper will explore her educational background as well as her life works.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, American television personality, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, is one of the richest and most influential women in the United States ("Winfrey, Oprah," 2004). Her story is one of triumph despite personal hardship. Winfrey's education coupled with her tenacity has allowed her to achieve much more than most. This paper will explore her educational background as well as her life works.

Educating Ms. Winfrey:

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi in 1954 ("Winfrey, Oprah," 2005). She lived with her grandmother on a farm until the age of six.

From age six to 13, Oprah lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her mother. However, due to abuse and molestation, Oprah ran away from home and was sent to juvenile detention ("Oprah Winfrey," 2003).

Upon reaching the detention center, young Oprah was turned away because all of the beds were filled. "As a last resort, she was sent to Nashville to live under her father's strict discipline" ("Oprah Winfrey," 2003). Vernon Winfrey was exactly what this wayward young girl needed.

Mr. Winfrey was not only a strict disciplinarian, ensuring that his teenage daughter followed a midnight curfew, among other things. He also understood the value of education. Vernon Winfrey wanted to make certain that his daughter was getting a good education, and went beyond her regular course of studies. He required Oprah to read a book each week and write a book report, that Mr. Winfrey would review as a means of expanding her education ("Oprah Winfrey," 2003).

He was concerned with Oprah "making the best of (her) life, and would not accept anything less than what he thought was (her) best" (as cited in "Oprah Winfrey," 2003). Yet, Oprah would not disappoint him. At age 17 she was hired by WVOL radio, in Nashville, and began her broadcasting career.

However, her father had instilled the importance of a formal education in her. As such, she enrolled at Tennessee State University. There, she majored in Speech Communications and Performing Arts ("Oprah Winfrey," 2003). It would be this formal and informal educational background that would serve as a platform for her wondrous life achievements.

Oprah Winfrey's Life Works:

Oprah Winfrey's life has been full of purpose since her late teens. Moving from radio host, to news anchor, to talk show host and movie actress, Winfrey has earned a dedicated nationwide fan base. However, her achievements only start with her many entertainment accolades.

Oprah has been involved in a variety of philanthropic activities. One such endeavor is Oprah's Angel Network. This organization sponsors charitable initiatives worldwide ("Winfrey, Oprah," 2004). Oprah's Angel Network has not only distributed millions of dollars, but has also inspired others to get involved. Whether they're funding rural development in areas like China, Ecuador, Ghana, or Guatemala or sponsoring ChristmasKindness South Africa, the work of sharing and caring is continuing globally.

In the United States, Oprah has also focused on childhood sexual abuse. In 1991, she revealed on air that she had been sexually abused as a child. This announcement generated a massive response and Oprah initiated a campaign to establish a national database of convicted child abusers ("Oprah Winfrey," 2003).