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Who Was Helen Keller?
Helen Keller was an American educator, advocate for individuals who are blind and deaf, and a co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Stricken by an illness at the age of two, Keller became both blind and deaf. Beginning in 1887, her teacher, Anne Sullivan, played a pivotal role in helping her develop the ability to communicate. Keller’s remarkable journey culminated in her graduation from college in 1904. Throughout her life, she received numerous honors recognizing her significant accomplishments.
Early Life and Family
Born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Keller was the first of two daughters to Arthur H. Keller and Katherine Adams Keller. Her father had served as an officer in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, and the family included two older stepbrothers. While not particularly wealthy, they earned a living from their cotton plantation. Arthur later became the editor of a local weekly newspaper, the North Alabamian.
Keller initially experienced normal development, demonstrating speech at just six months old and learning to walk at one year.
Loss of Sight and Hearing
At 19 months old, Keller lost both her sight and hearing due to an illness referred to as “brain fever” by the family doctor. The exact nature of this illness remains unclear, with some experts speculating it could have been scarlet fever or meningitis.
Shortly after the fever subsided, Keller’s mother observed that she did not respond to sounds such as the dinner bell or movements in her line of sight.
As a child, Keller developed a rudimentary form of communication with Martha Washington, the young daughter of the family cook. The two created a unique sign language consisting of over 60 signs by the time Keller turned seven.
During this period, Keller exhibited challenging behavior, often throwing tantrums and displaying unpredictable emotions, which led some family members to suggest institutionalization.
Keller’s Teacher, Anne Sullivan
Keller’s collaboration with Anne Sullivan spanned 49 years, from 1887 until Sullivan’s passing in 1936. In 1932, Sullivan lost her eyesight due to health complications, and a young woman named Polly Thomson, who had joined Keller and Sullivan as a secretary in 1914, became Keller’s constant companion following Sullivan’s death.
In search of assistance, Keller’s mother discovered a travelogue by Charles Dickens titled American Notes in 1886, which described the successful education of another blind and deaf child, Laura Bridgman. This led Keller and her father to Baltimore, Maryland, where they consulted Dr. J. Julian Chisolm.
After examining Keller, Dr. Chisolm recommended that they meet with Alexander Graham Bell, who was then working with deaf children. Bell suggested they visit the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts, where they met with the school’s director, Michael Anaganos. Anaganos recommended that Keller work with Sullivan.
On March 3, 1887, Sullivan arrived at Keller’s home in Alabama and immediately began her educational work. She introduced Keller to finger-spelling, starting with the word “doll,” to help her understand a gift that had been brought for her.
Initially, Keller was resistant to Sullivan’s teaching methods, often refusing to cooperate. When she did engage, it became apparent that she struggled to grasp the connection between the spelled letters and the objects they represented. Sullivan’s persistence eventually paid off when she isolated Keller from distractions, allowing for concentrated instruction.
In a breakthrough moment, Sullivan taught Keller the word “water” by taking her to the water pump and simultaneously spelling the word into Keller’s hand. This experience illuminated the connection between objects and their corresponding letters for Keller, sparking a rapid expansion of her vocabulary. By the end of the day, she had learned 30 new words.
In 1905, Sullivan married John Macy, a Harvard instructor and prominent social critic. Despite her marriage, Sullivan continued to serve as Keller’s mentor and guide. Initially, both Anne and John provided Keller with their undivided attention; however, over time, their relationship became strained, while Anne’s commitment to Keller remained unwavering. The couple eventually separated but never divorced.
Education
In 1890, Helen Keller began her speech education at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf in Boston, dedicating 25 years to mastering spoken communication to ensure she could be understood by others. From 1894 to 1896, she attended the Wright-Humason School for the Deaf in New York City, where she focused on enhancing her communication skills while also engaging in traditional academic studies.
During this formative period, Keller became resolutely determined to pursue higher education. In 1896, she enrolled at the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, a preparatory institution for women. As her inspirational journey gained public attention, she had the opportunity to meet influential figures, including the esteemed writer Mark Twain, who was deeply impressed by her resilience and intellect. Twain introduced her to Henry H. Rogers, a Standard Oil executive, who recognized Keller’s exceptional talents and agreed to fund her education at Radcliffe College.
At Radcliffe, Keller was accompanied by her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who provided interpretation for lectures and texts. By this time, Keller had proficiently mastered various communication methods, including touch-lip reading, Braille, speech, typing, and finger-spelling. She graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College in 1904, at the age of 24.
“The Story of My Life”
With the assistance of Sullivan and Macy, Sullivan’s future husband, Keller authored her first book, The Story of My Life. Published in 1905, this memoir chronicles Keller’s transformation from childhood to her experiences as a 21-year-old college student.
Social Activism
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Keller actively engaged in social and political advocacy, addressing issues such as women’s suffrage, pacifism, birth control, and socialism. After completing her education, Keller sought to expand her understanding of the world and explore ways to improve the lives of others. Her compelling story transcended regional boundaries, and she emerged as a prominent celebrity and lecturer, sharing her experiences and advocating for individuals living with disabilities. Keller notably testified before Congress, passionately advocating for the welfare of the blind.
In 1915, she co-founded Helen Keller International alongside renowned city planner George Kessler, aiming to combat the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. By 1920, Keller had also played a pivotal role in establishing the American Civil Liberties Union. With the formation of the American Federation for the Blind in 1921, Keller found a national platform to further her advocacy. She joined the organization in 1924 and participated in numerous campaigns to raise awareness and support for the blind. Her commitment extended to other charitable organizations, including the Permanent Blind War Relief Fund, which later became the American Braille Press.
Soon after her graduation, Keller became involved with the Socialist Party, likely influenced by her friendship with John Macy. Between 1909 and 1921, she penned several articles on socialism and supported Eugene Debs, a candidate for the Socialist Party presidential nomination. Her series of essays titled “Out of the Dark” articulated her views on socialism and contemporary global issues.
During this period, Keller encountered public prejudice regarding her disabilities. While the press had previously celebrated her accomplishments, some criticism emerged following her expressions of socialist views. The Brooklyn Eagle notably remarked that her “mistakes sprang from the manifest limitations of her development.” In 1946, Keller was appointed as a counselor for international relations with the American Foundation of Overseas Blind. Between 1946 and 1957, she traveled to 35 countries across five continents.
In 1955, at the age of 75, Keller undertook a demanding 40,000-mile journey across Asia, which would become one of her most arduous endeavors. Through her numerous speeches and public appearances, she inspired millions around the globe.
“The Miracle Worker” Movie
Keller’s autobiography, The Story of My Life, served as the foundation for the 1957 television drama The Miracle Worker. This story was later adapted into a Broadway play in 1959, featuring Patty Duke as Keller and Anne Bancroft as Sullivan. Both actresses reprised their roles in the award-winning 1962 film adaptation of the play.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her life, Keller received numerous accolades in recognition of her extraordinary contributions, including the Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal in 1936, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, and induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame in 1965. She was also awarded honorary doctoral degrees from prestigious institutions, including Temple University, Harvard University, the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the University of Berlin in Germany, the University of Delhi in India, and the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Additionally, she was named an Honorary Fellow of the Educational Institute of Scotland.
Death
Keller passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 1, 1968, just weeks shy of her 88th birthday. Following a series of strokes in 1961, she spent her remaining years at her home in Connecticut.
Helen Keller’s remarkable life serves as a powerful testament to the strength of determination, hard work, and imagination, illustrating how an individual can triumph over adversity. Through her relentless perseverance, she emerged as a revered activist, dedicated to the betterment of others and advocating for the rights and welfare of those with disabilities.