Karmen Collins
Mrs. Darby
English 101
November 5, 2002
Corbly Hall
8:00-9:15am
#306

Who is a Strong Black Woman?
And all the sisters sitting in the front row would fan themselves and turn to my grandmother and say, “Ida Mae, this child is gifted.”

A woman of many colors: television talk show host, actress, producer, and writer.
There are so many females all over the world that would love to be in her shoes or even just be near her. People say she has a natural glow to herself that shines inside and outside of her that consists of being friendly, caring, lovable, intelligent, funny, and beautiful. She is friendly by talking to other people not just because she has to but, because she wants to. It’s not just because she is the wealthiest woman alive; I mean that is wonderful, but it is herself being that everyone loves so much. Audience members who watch her show, read her magazines, and watch her movies can’t get enough of her.
There is no doubt that this woman loves her jobs! She works like a chicken without a head non stop around the clock to get things done the right way. This strong black woman in my eyes is Oprah Winfrey. With over a 120 channels and an audience of 10 million people can tell you and show you she is loved everywhere. (2002 A&E Television Networks) Everyone is always talking about how positive she is. It could be anywhere: at home, in the car, on her show, in her magazines, in her movies, and even on the phone. She is very open-minded; she listens to what others have to say with both ears open, not just one. She addresses real issues in the world not only for females but also for males.
Some people don’t know how far she has come to get to where she is today. Born January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi she grew up with a troubled adolescence. Oprah was sexually abused by a number of male relatives and friends of the family. During high school she decided to move to Nashville to live with her father where she enrolled at Tennessee State University and began working in radio and television broadcasting in Nashville. Not letting anything stop her this outgoing female emerged into the broadcasting business at the age of 22 when she started hosting a TV chat show by the name of People Are Talking and eight years later due to her success in that area she started hosting her own morning show A.M. Chicago. In 1986 she launched the Oprah Winfrey Show grossing 125 million dollars and receiving 30 million dollars for herself just for the first year. (2002 A&E Television Networks)
Oprah Winfrey became known for her dramatic weight loss efforts estimating 90 pounds. She competed in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in 1995. Making her even more beautiful then she already is, she has her own personal trainer to help keep in shape and her own chef so she can continue to eat healthy. With Oprah’s success coming along through out her life she has managed to have her own magazine, O: The Oprah Magazine which debuted in April 2000 where she discusses monthly issues of: The Mission Calendar, What I Know For Sure, Breathing Space, Dinner for 20, Books that Made a Difference, Beck on Call, and Financial Freedom. In Oprah’s busy line of work she finds time to create a nationwide database of convicted child abusers, she founded the Family for Better Lives foundation, and she also contributes to where she graduated from Tennessee State University.
On February 21, 1991 in Chicago, Illinois an exclusive interview was done by
Entertainment Executive on Oprah Winfrey. Oprah was asked the question, “As a young child, did you have any idea, any vision, of what you wanted to accomplish?” Oprah didn’t take long to answer she had knew what to say. She responded by saying I knew that my life would be better in the end. I knew that in my life at that point, things would work out for the better, my life won’t be like this.” The second question asked was, “Did you ever consider any other besides talking, broadcasting, and acting?” Oprah laughs at the question and then comments, “No, at first I wanted to be an actress, then a schoolteacher, and then, a preacher. It seemed as though I changed my mind every year or so.” While still in thought the third question arises, “How did you come to live with your grandmother?” Oprah looks into the air as if searching and waiting for it to pass by in front of her and then finally responds, “I came to live with my grandmother because I was born out of wedlock and my mother went up north to live. I don’t regret it at all. I look back and I’m so thankful for living the first six years of my life with my grandmother. I learned so much from her; learning how to read, politeness, how to be successful, stand your ground, don’t listen to what other people say about you, the lord, to remember what I’m here for, and to keep reaching for the stars because no one else Award. reaches for you.” (Entertainment Executive)
Winfrey has been engaged to a public relations executive by the name of Stedman Graham since 1992 where they share a home together in Chicago. Oprah Winfrey continues to reach for the stars and what she wants out of life individually and she doesn’t go unnoticed. This pass September 2002, Oprah Winfrey was named first recipient of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. Oprah Winfrey is also ranked number 340 in the Forbes 1997 list of 400 richest Americas and # 3 on the Forbes list of 40 riches entertainers.
Now every weekday over 100 tourists line up outside the magnificent single-story stucco building in a semi-gentrified neighborhood of Chicago, to view one of Chicago's two most popular tourist attractions: a single hour-long television production that generates $104 million each year. Within the production studio, everybody's favorite TV sister, Oprah Winfrey, having emerged from television's leading talk show host in America, has diversified her business - just in time to avoid a potential down turn in ratings and a reason, to retire without a clear plan for the future.
Above all her efforts and contributions she deserves everything she has worked for. Instead of her name being next to the wealthiest African-American woman that ever lived, in my eyes she is also one of the strongest African-American women.