History Letter | Helen Keller
The first letter in our series is from one of the most inspirational women in history. The monumental challenges she overcame are reason enough to select her for this honor, but her outstanding accomplishments make her life even more impressive. In addition to all the things she did, Helen Keller is best known for who she was. Her values and character were exemplary. We celebrate her life and her memory. If you have a historic woman you think would make a great candidate for History Letters, please give us your ideas in the comment section below. - Granny Bunny
Dear Ada,
My name is Helen Keller and I was born over 100 years ago in1880, in Alabama. When I was one year old, I had a bad illness that left me deaf and blind.
As I got a little older, I made friends with Martha, the daughter of our cook. We invented a language using our hands. We could make hand signs for over 60 different words by the time I was seven years old. Martha was a wonderful friend.
My family took me to a doctor who sent us to a special place for blind people where I met the woman who was to become my teacher. Her name was Anne Sullivan, and she used to be blind herself so she knew what it was like for me. She taught me how to spell out words with my hands and it changed my life. Miss Sullivan brought me a doll for a surprise and “doll” was the very first word I learned to spell. She was my teacher and friend for almost 50 years.
Over the next years, I learned many ways to communicate. Along with finger-spelling, I could read braille, tell what people were saying by touching their lips, using speech typing, and sign language. Eventually, I also learned how to use my voice to say words. That is really hard when you can’t hear because you never know if you are saying things correctly. After I learned to talk, I gave many speeches with Anne Sullivan. Even though I couldn’t see and I couldn’t hear, I think I managed to make the world a little better place.
I was the first person ever to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. I graduated from Radcliffe College when I was 24 years old.
I worked tirelessly to raise funds for the American Foundation for the Blind.
I created the Helen Keller International Organization to prevent blindness
I helped make Braille the standard reading and writing system across the whole world.
I was elected to the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
I was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
As I learned more about the world, I understood something many other people didn’t - all people are equal. For instance, if someone offered me a glass of water, I couldn’t see if it was a man or a woman, if they had white skin or black skin, or if they had disabilities or not. I could only tell that they were kind and deserved my gratitude. I could also tell they deserved the same rights as other people. I started making lots of speeches for civil rights, women’s rights, and the rights of people with disabilities. I faced a lot of criticism for doing this, but I was living proof that people with disabilities could do many good things if they were given a chance.
I lived a very long and happy life. Along the way, I gained some wisdom I want to share with you, so your life can be long and happy too.
•Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. Be strong.
•One can do anything we want if we stick to it long enough. Persevere.
•Life is either a great adventure or nothing. Be courageous.
•The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. Fill your heart with gratitude every day.
I am so proud of the person you will be and the things you will do, Ada.
Be kind,
Helen Keller
THE HELEN KELLER CHALLENGES
Try one or do them all if you can.
Imagine that the people in your family are blind and can’t see you. They are also deaf and can’t hear you. For each one, find a way to tell them how you feel about them through touch — maybe rub their back, feed them a strawberry, kiss their cheek, or your own idea.
Learn to finger spell.
Eat a meal wearing a blindfold and see what being blind feels like. What do you notice.
Now that you know about how challenged the beginning of my life was and how much I was able to change the world for the better, it’s your turn. Tell your family what you would change about the world if you could and why you want to make this change.
