Though blind and deaf from the age of nineteen months, with the help of her extraordinary teacher Anne Sullivan Macy, Helen Keller overcame every obstacle to become a renowned author and lecturer and a mighty inspiration not only to the afflicted but to the entire world.

 

Learning to read, write, and speak--in several languages--she received her A.B. degree cum laude from Radcliff College and other degrees from Temple University; University of Glasgow, Scotland; University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; University of Delhi; Free University of Berlin; and Harvard University.

 

She lectured on behalf of the blind throughout the United States and the world and served on the Council on National and International Relations of the American Foundation for the Blind, Inc.

 

Miss Keller was the author of many books, but her autobiography, The Story of My Life, is in itself, a miracle. She wanted to share with everyone, especially the afflicted, the wonders that had come her way and to prove to all that there is hope even when life seems impossible. Compassion and understanding were among her gifts. There seemed no littleness in her soul--this woman who lived in darkness but who shone as a brilliant light for all to see.

 

Her book, and books about her, will help future generations to see and understand the courage and genius of the incredible Alabama woman who so deserved to be among the first to be inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame.

 

In eulogy to "America's First Lady of Courage" presented to the U.S. Congress, it was said that "Miss Keller's personal victory over darkness and despair turned her life and ambitions to the service of others. With energy and stamina that were almost limitless, she strove to fulfill her dreams, 'that every blind child have an opportunity to receive an education . . . and every blind adult, a chance for training and useful employment' . . . and that deaf people would be helped. Although she was denied the light of day, Helen Keller cast more radiance of Heaven than any person on this earth."