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Orpah Gail Winfrey was born
Oprah's first name was Orpah named after the biblical figure but it was mispronounced all the time.She was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi -
Early Childhood
Oprah was born to a single mother who was a housemaid. Oprah had a younger sister who died at age 43 due to a cocaine addiction. her mom gave birth to a third child that was given up for adoption. Oprah did not learn about her other half-sister till 2010. Winfrey also had a younger half-brother who died of AIDS in 1989. Winfrey was abused by multiple family members growing up and she became pregnant at 14 but her son was born prematurely and died shortly after. -
East Nashville high school in Tennessee
Voted most popular girl. Worked at a radio station senior year. Winfrey won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant at age 17. -
Tennessee State University
Oprah received a full scholarship to Tennessee State university by winning an oratory contest. She studied Communications -
family life
Oprah chose not to be a mother because she said she was not mothered well. she has had many relationships and even engaged but never married -
early involvement in movement
she became the youngest and first black news anchor in Nashville and then later Baltimores news stations. She then became a co-host on the talk show People Are Talking. She then relocated to Chicago where she became the host of a low rated morning talk show. Within a month it became the highest rated talk show -
Oprah's Movement
The Oprah Winfrey Show aired in the 1900s and 2000s and was a talk show where she interviewed celebrities and also talked about many topics such as charity and meditation. She then launched her own Channel called OWN in 2011. After her show ended on May 25, 2011 she joined 60 min. as a special contributor. -
impact on society
Oprah has been known as the worlds most influential and powerful woman. She was known to confess many details of her life such as sexual abuse. these confessions are known as a type of therapy.Oprah also helped bring mainstream acceptance of LGBT and redefined social norms. What was later known as the Oprah effect was her ability to influence public opinion. -
Final Thoughs
Oprah was a very influential and social changing women. she helped shape our society into what it is today. Using her own personal stories on her show and in books helped bring comfort and guidance to people facing the same problems. her legacy continues to be built and she will always be known as one of the greatest women in our countries history.