Oprah Winfrey's Journey To Success

The American dream is the future every American strides towards, the future in which he/she has a good paying job and has the freedom and independence to choose his/her own destiny and make the most of it. It is this notion, which many people cling to nationwide. This concept, the concept that anyone can achieve anything, is what drives many people do what they want to do and make themselves what they want to be. Oprah Winfrey is a prime example of not only the American dream and what it means, but what “believing in it” can help you accomplish. Believing that with enough hard work, determination, and ambition, it is possible to achieve success. Oprah’s claim to fame did not come easily. It was in fact a very difficult trip up the ladder of success for Winfrey. She grew up in Kosciusko, Mississippi (Waldron 13). Oprah’s troubled life began almost as soon as she was born, as her parents were unmarried teens and were stricken with poverty. However, the unfortunate circumstances did not stop there; Oprah was also the target of numerous cases of sexual mistreatment and assault, by male relatives (Waldron 28). However, these hardships and unfortunate situations only made Oprah stronger. Oprah’s life began to
She is the first Female African American billionaire, and what does she spend her money on? Charity for the most part. She is yet another prime example of the American dream in one aspect or another. She is also extremely invested and is a major contributor and activist in society. She once said, “Dr. (Martin Luther) King dreamed the dream. But we don’t have to just dream the dream anymore.”(DiLallo) This quote exemplifies the concept of Oprah wanting to be active in her contributions to those who are less fortunate, showing that she not only has the American Dream envisioned for herself, but for all those around