Research a

Leader
OPRAH WINFREY

Why does this person inspire or

interest you?
Oprah Winfrey inspires me because after a hard life of pain and abuse she came out
stronger than anyone. When Oprah was just a child she was sexually abused by a
number of male relatives and her mothers friends. Because of this Oprah went to
Nashville to live with her father. She entered Tennessee State University in 1971 and
began working in radio and television broadcasting in Nashville. In 1976, Oprah
Winfrey moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she hosted the TV chat showPeople
Are Talking. The show became a hit and Winfrey stayed with it for eight years, after
which she was recruited by a Chicago TV station to host her own morning show.
According to Forbes magazine, Oprah was the richest African American of the 20th
century and the world's only Black billionaire for three years running. Lifemagazine
hailed her as the most influential woman of her generation. In 2005, Business Week
named her the greatest Black philanthropist in American history. Plus Oprah's Angel
Network has raised more than $51,000,000 for charitable programs. As you can see,
throughout Oprahs whole life, all she wanted was to inspire and help people. Coming
from such a sad childhood the fact that she didnt let it eat her alive is unbelievably
Inspiring. She started with nothing but a dream, and made the skies limitless.

A Brief Intro.

Who- Oprah Gail Winfrey

Where- Oprah was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, United States. She now
goes back and forth from her house in Lavallette, New Jersey; an apartment
in Chicago; an estate on Fisher Island, Florida; a ski house in Telluride,
Colorado; and property onMaui, Hawaiiand Antigua.

When- January 29, 1954 (age 61 years)

What- Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host,

actress, producer, and philanthropist.

What kind of leader is this

person?...

From referring to the notes it is obvious that Oprah is

in the democratic style. She wants nothing more then
to get positive things done in a positive environment.
She believes that if something needs to get done then
there is no other way to do it then that. She utilizes a
charismatic leadership style that draws people to her
and keeps them captivated.She can be described as
having a strong sense of moral values, self-confidence,
having a dominant personality and a fierce desire to
influence others.

What has she accomplished as

a leader?
1) In the year 1972, Oprah Winfrey won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant and started working with a local black radio
station WVOL as a news presenter.
2) In the year 1973, Oprah graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in Speech and Performing Arts, and became
the first black TV news anchor with WTVF-TV.
3) In 1983, Oprah moved to Chicago to host WLS-TV's low-rated half-hour morning talk-show, AM Chicago, and within months
after Oprah took over, the show went on to become the highest rated talk show in Chicago, and was renamed as "The Oprah
Winfrey Show".
4) In the year 1987, Oprah won her first Emmy award for best talk/service show host and best show.
5) Oprah received the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Entertainer of the year award in 1989.
6) Oprah testified before the US Congress and initiated the National Child Protection Act in 1991.
7) In 1995, Oprah not only won an Emmy for Best Talk Show and Best Host for the second year in a row, but also kick started
Oprah Online on AOL (American Online) in partnership with ABC. Oprah became the first woman and the only black on Forbes list
of 400 richest Americans in the same year.
8) In the year 1996, Oprah received the prestigious George Foster Peabody's Individual Achievement Award. In the same year she
co-authored the book "A Journal of Daily Renewal: The Companion to Make the Connection", with Bob Greene.
9) In 1997 Oprah's Angel Network was formed, which encouraged people to make charitable contributions and volunteer work. In
the same year, she co-authored another book, "Uncommon Wisdom of Oprah Winfrey: A Portrait in Her Own Words" with Bill
Adler.
10) In the year 1998, Oprah received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmy Awards and an award for top talk
show host.

What would you try to emulate/copy from her?

I would try to emulate/copy how kind she is. Oprah is known

around the world, for being a generous person. There are many
things that she does on a day to day basis to help people in need
around the world. I can only hope that one day I can be the kind
of person that she is. She has made huge impacts on many
people. Although I will not be able to be as generous as she is,
anything I can do will help. If I can make at least one person
smile a day, Ive done my job

What can we all learn from her?

What everyone can learn from Oprah is her

willingness to put everyone in front of herself. She is
such a selfless person who would do anything for
someone struggling. If everyone had the kind of
heart she does, the world would be a better place.
She is a prime example of someone who went from
almost nothing to one of the most successful women
in the world. It gives people hope who have been
struggling, that things really can get better. And
once youre at your lowest point, to realize that
things are only looking up.