Helen Keller went blind and deaf through an illness in her early infancy.
Being a disabled person in the 1900s was really difficult, but along with being a woman in a patriarchal and male dominated society, meant that success and breaking the societal barriers was double hard for Helen throughout her lifetime.
Helen’s life seemed like a relentless challenge. However, this never defined her life and legacy.
She went on to achieve and obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as became a renowned writer, publishing her own autobiography in 1903, and has become known as one of the most famous autobiographies of modern times.
She was also politically active, being a member of the socialist party for over a decade. She later became known for advocating for women’s right to vote as well as women’s right to have access to birth control, ideologies that now seem commonplace, but in her male dominated world, she was met with some criticism.
She was a supporter of charities and foundations in support of the blind amongst other disabilities. She was one of the most important members of the American Foundation of the Blind, of which she devoted most of her latter life to supporting the foundation by actively raising funds for the group.
In 1964, Helen was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Along with this, she got to meet and speak with John. F. Kennedy, one of America's most famous presidents. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was an award that could be seen as the award that capped off her place amongst the most influential women of the 20th century.
She did not let her hardships stop her from achieving her dreams.
