Essay --

Oprah Winfrey once said, â€Å"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude† (Flanagan 118). This quote is a testimony to her personal life. Born in 1954 whenever African Americans were still fighting for equality, Winfrey had racism to endure. Additionally, her family faced much economic hardship. During her childhood, Winfrey encountered physical and sexual abuse. Somehow, she persevered against all odds to become one of America’s most significant philanthropists. Oprah Winfrey is an inspiration to all because of her dexterity to conquer her adversities to attain any goal. Winfrey’s mother, Vernita Lee, was only 18 years old whenever she gave birth. Winfrey’s father, Vernon Winfrey, was unaware that he had a child until months after she was born. He was excluded from Winfrey’s life originally, for he was a soldier away in Mississippi. That meant that Oprah would be receiving care from her mother and grandmother in the deepest of poverty (Weston 13). Winfrey said, â€Å"I am grateful for living in poverty because it makes success so much more rewarding† (â€Å"Dave and Oprah Recap†). After a few years, Winfrey’s mother traveled to Milwaukee for a job opportunity as a maid. She left Winfrey under the sole supervision of her grandma, Hattie May Lee. Winfrey later said, â€Å"I am what I am today because of my grandmother; my strength, my sense of reasoning, everything† (Weston 14). Hattie May had grown too sick to care for Winfrey, so she was sent to live with Lee in Milwaukee. Her new home was one room in a boardinghouse. Winfrey said, â€Å"I felt like I was an outcast. I don’t know why my mother ever decided she wanted me. She wasn’t equipped to take care of me. I was just an extra burden ... ...ty. She has transformed from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, all by having faith and perseverance. She believed that she had a higher purpose in life, and that God was leading her on the path to change the world. In fact, her final words on the set of The Oprah Winfrey Show, â€Å"To God be the glory† (Flanagan 106). Though she stumbled on this path due to resentment and anger, she returned to her good ways with the stern love from her father and a second chance at life. Winfrey was able to achieve great things by believing in herself and in others. She has contributed millions of dollars to help women, families, and children to be supported in education and in life. What makes Winfrey such a remarkable being is that she was able to overcome her adversities to achieve any goal. Her selfless acts are appreciated by the millions of people that she influences.