The Story Of How Oprah Winfrey Went From Being A Poor Farm Girl To Becoming the Most Influential Woman Of Her Generation.
Early Days
Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in rural Mississippi. She was named after Orpah in the Bible but her family could not pronounce it. And that’s why we know her as Oprah. But her birth certificate has Orpah on it. Her family was very poor and her mother had to seek government aid. Winfrey was raised on a farm by her grandmother after her mother left for the north during the great migration. Winfrey saw how hard her grandma had to work and knew that she wanted a better life for herself.
Oprah’s grandma taught her how to read. By age 3 she was giving Easter speeches. It was her dream to become a preacher and a teacher. Oprah was heavily influenced by the preacher at her church. She would often listen to him on a Sunday and then beg her teacher on a Monday to do devotion. She would then share the message with everyone.
Oprah went to live with her mother at around age 6. After years with her less than supportive mother, Oprah became rebellious and was in a very bad place in life. Winfrey had several encounters where family members and family friends abused her. A secret she held on to for years. She was afraid to talk about it until she met Maya Angelou who was also a victim. Oprah encourages every child to tell the first time they have been abused or put in an uncomfortable situation.
Journey
Oprah eventually went to live with her father Vernon Winfrey, in Nashville. And that’s when she started to change. Her dad believed in her and told her she was an A student and C’s were not acceptable. She regained her purpose and began working hard at her goals. Sometimes all it takes is a word of encouragement to spark the brilliance in you.
Oprah traveled through Nashville giving speeches at almost every church she could find. She always knew that she wanted to reach people and change lives.
In 1971, she started Tennessee State University. while there she began working on the radio. Her peers used to give her a fight because she didn’t have the time to engage in “college stuff”. Oprah admitted to making up for this by taking them out for pizza or giving them money. Looking back, Oprah said she was suffering from “the disease to please”. Many of us often suffer from it. We want to please everyone around us and often rob ourselves of what we deserve.
Oprah was approached to work on TV 3 times during her radio days but turned it down. It was a professor who showed her the light. He told her that everyone went to school just so that they could get the very opportunity she was turning down. And that is when she took the job.
Her tv career spanned for many years from Nashville to Baltimore and Chicago. She worked for several stations and was the host of several successful shows. Throughout her journey, no matter the challenges Oprah believed in herself. And the idea that your thinking will affect your outcome.
She started her own studio and show in 1986. With the wisdom of her lawyer, who actually planted the idea in her head. It was her role in the movie The Color Purple that helped her to make that decision. She wanted to have full control of her time and direction. And to enlighten and uplift people. In her early days, Oprah would host people from all walks of life. From racists to a killer. And then one day the question came to her. Who am I helping by giving light to this person? And that is when she stopped hosting just about everybody and started to carefully select her guests.
Oprah is the co-author of 5 books. She loves to read and even started a book club. Since its initiation, it has helped many unknown authors to launch their books and earn bestseller rankings.
Here are some of the awards and accomplishments of Ms. Winfrey:
Oprah Winfrey is the first black woman billionaire. Her current net worth stands at $2.6 billion USD.
Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Started a leadership academy for girls in South Africa.
Has her own magazine, Oprah Magazine.
The first recipient of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.
Life Magazine’s most influential woman of her generation.
In January 2018, Winfrey became the first African American woman to be honored with the Golden Globes' Cecil B. DeMille Award, for lifetime achievement.
Has the highest-rated talk show.
Oprah has been very influential throughout her life and career. She has managed to touch many lives and uplift many people. The Wall Street Journal coined Oprafication after her. The word means public confession as a form of therapy. There is also the Oprah Effect. If she endorses something then it is likely to do very well. That comes with years of doing what you say you are going to do and people knowing what you stand for. It doesn’t matter what career we have, our aim should always be to have a good brand.
Over the years she has contributed to many causes and charities. Records show that Oprah has given away over $400 million.
Words of Wisdom
Success is you getting to the point where you are comfortable with yourself.
You have the right to change your mind.
You always get clues before trouble hits. Learn to identify them.
Don’t be pressured. We create stress because we feel like we “have to”.
We are all responsible for our lives but nobody gets through it alone.
Learn to laugh at yourself.
Everything happens for a reason. And if you believe that then you have to accept it in all circumstances.
There is a lot more that I could share about Ms. Winfrey but I don’t know when I would stop writing. Her story is a reminder for all of us who are struggling in life that anything is possible. It is possible to come out of poverty. It is possible to heal from traumatic experiences. It is possible to find yourself and be true.
Whatever is your battle today, remember that a better life is always awaiting you. Decide to go for it. If you enjoyed this letter then share it with a friend. See you next week. God’s will.