Background of Oprah Winfrey
I tend to value leaders that are hard-working and are dedicated to achievement in their lives. The leader that I selected to research was Oprah Winfrey. Especially as a child, Oprah had many obstacles to endure. Oprah’s mother worked as a maid cleaning houses, but at times had to rely on welfare to support the family (Krohn, 2005, p. 9). At age 9, Oprah was sexually abused by her cousin, then later on by her uncle and a family friend. Then at age 14, Oprah found out she was pregnant, carried the child to term and then lost the child within two weeks of his birth (Borer, 2005).
Even though these obstacles got in her way, Oprah was still named one of the 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century by Time magazine, and in 1998 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Academy of Achievement, 2006). Oprah Winfrey was the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. Between her radio shows, television show, magazine and movie roles, Oprah still finds time to give back and uses her public role to influence others. In 2000, Oprah's Angel Network began presenting a $100,000 "Use Your Life Award" to people who are using their lives to improve the lives of others.
I view Oprah as a leader because even though life was challenging in the beginning, she worked hard and persevered. Other individuals might use what happened to them as an excuse to give up. Oprah not only did not give up, but she continues to challenge others to change their lives every day.
References:
Academy of Achievement. (2006, May 5). America’s best beloved friend. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/win0bio-1.
Borer, E. (2005). A childhood biography of Oprah Winfrey. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://oprah.about.com/od/oprahbiography/p/oprahchildhood.htm.
Krohn, K. (2005). Oprah Winfrey: just the facts. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publishing Company.
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Hello Gayle,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your choice of Oprah Winfrey as a leader. Most of us know her challenging background. As you point out, the most amazing part of her is that she never gave up. I believe her role in the movie The Color Purple catapulted her to fame. She took that celebrity and built on it with authenticity and respect.
I believe she is a leader by default; she did not pursue such a role. She continued working and building on her original career in media. But whether as a role model or leader she is an example of generosity and kindness to all; I believe kindness to be one of the most important components of one's moral and ethical beliefs.
Hi Gayle
ReplyDeleteOprah Winfrey would certainly be considered a leader. She has achieved phenomenal success in her life after overcoming her early adversities. She displays her leadership abilities consistently in her day-to-day life and serves as role model for anyone facing a life challenge.
She has the all the qualities of leadership which I identified in Randy Pausch. They both demonstrate these characteristics in their personal and professional lives. Randy was an educator teaching students while Oprah uses her celebrity on her television show to help people deal more effectively in reaching their dreams and goals. This quality of a good leader is exemplified in the way they interact with others.
Hi Gayle,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Oprah is a leader in our society. She has stepped from the adversity of poverty, abuse, and the loss of a child - to serve as an inspiration to others. As you said, she never used any of what life threw at her, as an excuse to give up or not succeed.
She began her Angel Network to reward others for following her lead - improving the lives of others. It is only when we give that we truly receive. Her life is one to emulate, her achievements are to be lauded. This sentiment comes from the Bible in ACTS 20. Through life's difficulties, Oprah persevered, a leadership quality indeed.