Oprah Winfrey Show example essay topic

Every now and then in history, we find a life story that is truly remarkable. Oprah Winfrey ventured forth from the agonizing childhood, that was her world of common day, to a region of supernatural wonder. Oprah's road to success was not an easy task. From her early childhood, Oprah challenged many fabulous forces that she encountered. Oprah Winfrey tells the life story one of America's richest and most successful show business personalities. "The fact that Oprah Winfrey is also black and a woman makes her rags to riches story an even more remarkable version of the 'American Dream' " (About).

Without a doubt Oprah Winfrey endured her share of rites of passage... [R] it es of passage are not confined to culturally defined life-crises, but may accompany any change from one state to another, as when a whole tribe goes to war, or when it attests the passage from scarcity to plenty by performing a first-fruits or a harvest festival. Rites de passage, too, are not restricted, sociologically speaking, to movements between ascribes statuses. They also concern entry into a new achieved status, whether this be a political office or membership to a exclusive club or secret society... On the whole, initiation rites, whether into maturity or cult membership, best exemplify transition... (Timer 235).

A time of separation On January 29, 1954 Oprah Gail Winfrey was born to unwed, teenage parents in Mississippi. Her parents originally planned to name her Or pah, but the midwife made a mistake on the birth certificate. Oprah had many obstacles already in front her as a newborn. Oprah's mother was an eighteen-year-old housemaid named Vernita Lee. Her father was a twenty-year-old in the Armed Forces, Vernon Winfrey. Shortly after her birth, Oprah was separated from her birth mother and sent to live with her grandmother.

.".. [L] ike so many other black youngsters who were left to be taken care of by their grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncles. It actually probably saved my life. It is the reason why I am here today. My grandmother gave me the foundation for success that I was allowed to continue to build upon. My grandmother taught me to read, and that opened the door to all kinds of possibilities for me.

And had I not been with my grandmother and been with my mother struggling in the North, ... I probably would not have had the foundation that I had" (Achievement). She was under her grandmother's care for the first six years of her life. Oprah had transitioned well under the care of her grandmother. "Oprah was a bright child and read and write when she was three" (Leaney). Unfortunately for Oprah at the age of seven, Vernita decided to make a change in her life.

This change meant relocating to Baltimore, and taking Oprah out of the only true home she had known. Again Oprah endured separation, but this time her transition was not smooth. Once there, an older cousin sexually molested Oprah, and then she suffered repeated molestation by others throughout her youth. Oprah then turned to a life on the streets. She was pregnant by the age of fourteen; she miscarried and was left feeling distraught.

At the age of fifteen, Vernita sent Oprah to Nashville, Tennessee to live with her father. It was here that the life of Oprah took a major turn. Vernon put rules into place, something that Oprah had not seen since living with Vernita. Vernon encouraged Oprah to focus on life and to begin to concentrate on her education. Vernon required Oprah to weekly read a book, and then to write a book report, which rekindled her lost love for reading. In a interview with the Academy of Achievement Oprah recalled that her father was a " [v] er strict father, but I love him for it today...

[She] remembered [her] father saying to [her] "You can't bring C's in this house because you are not a C student. If you were a C student you could because I'm not trying to make you do or be anything that you can't be. But you are not a C student; you are an A student. So that's what we expect in this house" (Achievement). During her senior yeah of high school, it was then that Oprah started working in the school radio station.

She soon found a new love in broadcasting, which resulted in propelling her to fame. Through the different separations that Oprah endured as an adolescent, Oprah was able to persevere as a adult. The separations were a part of the road to success, which made a lasting impression in her rags to riches story. Initiation to radio and television broadcasting After graduation, she entered Tennessee State University where she majored in radio and television broadcasting. Oprah was very popular and well liked, earning her title of Miss Tennessee State. And with the accomplishment of her initiation to Tennessee State University, as well as her transition into the field of radio and television broadcasting, she was ready to conquer "this miraculous adventure with the power to bestow boons on [her] fellow man" (Campbell).

She was then hired by a local television station, WTF, and became the youngest and first African-American female anchor. "In 1976, she moved back to Baltimore to join WIZ - TV news as a co-anchor, and in 1978 discovered talent for hosting talk shows when she became the co-host of "People are Talking" while continuing to serve as anchor and news reporter" (Academy). In 1984, she was offered a job in Chicago, a decision that would prove to be the most important one of her career. In Chicago, she hosted the television show "AM Chicago", and the show jumped to number one within the first month of Oprah's arrival. Within one year, her time slot increased to one hour, and was renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show". Seen nationally since September 8, 1986, 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' became the number one talk show in national syndication in less than a year.

In June 1987, in its first year of eligibility 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' received three Daytime Emmy Awards in the categories of Outstanding Host, Outstanding Talk / Service Program and Outstanding Direction. In June, 1988, 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' received its second consecutive Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Talk / Service Program, and she herself received the International Radio and Television Society's 'Broadcaster of the Year' Award. She was the youngest person and only the fifth woman ever to receive the honor in IRTS's 25-year history. (Academy) In the mid - 1990's Oprah decided that her show was going to focus on meaningful objects, humanity, and improving people's lives. "It was Oprah's personal style as an interviewer and a sympathetic listener that gave the show its unique appeal...

She wanted her show not just to attract large audiences but to help individual viewers" (Leaney). Philanthropy was cast into the limelight of the talk show TV. Returning to her new role In the mid - 1990's Oprah decided that her show was going to focus on meaningful subjects, humanity, and improving people's lives". [F] in ally she was [admitted] into society with [her] status fully accepted" (Dundee 106). "It was Oprah's personal style as a interviewer and a sympathetic listener that gave the show the unique appeal... She wanted her show to attract large audiences but to help individual viewers" (Leaney).

From the everyday heroes she highlights on her show, to the causes she covers through her media outlets, Oprah encourages philanthropy. "Oprah has given considerable time and money to her numerous philanthropic ventures as well, focusing especially on funding and supporting educational initiatives and those who help others in their communities. Along with many awards for achievements in entertainment, Oprah has won great recognition for her humanitarian efforts" (Horsley). As a very generous donor, Oprah takes a hands-on approach in making a difference in the world. She personally becomes involved in the causes and in promoting the organizations in which she donates.

The Oprah Winfrey Foundation as well as the "Oprah Winfrey Show" has been an avenue for her philanthropy. Oprah provides information on many venues through which her viewers and followers can become involved. These venues range from Habitat for Humanity to Heifer International to women's education to child abuse and neglect. In 1997, Oprah introduced Oprah's Angel Network. This was created to inspire people to use their lives, and to give to others. The money collected for this cause goes to assisting the needy and providing college scholarships.

The scholarships are given to those who have a desire to give back to their community. To date over $13 million has been collected. Oprah's Angel Network has branched off into another program, the "Use Your Life Award". These awards are given to individuals who are making a difference in the lives of others through their charitable organizations. Oprah Winfrey was 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 and Sciences.

Her influence extended to the publishing industry when she began an on-air book club. Oprah Book Club selections became instant bestsellers, and in 1999 she was presented with the National Book Foundation's 50th anniversary gold medal for her service to books and authors (Academy). As a public figure, Oprah's influence is reached in many places around the world. Connected to her audience as well as her peers, she interacts with people of all walks of life. Oprah is recognized as a brilliant business woman, a compassionate television host, a accomplished actress, producer, publisher, educator, and a compassionate spokesperson for social causes. Her name and reputation warrant a great deal of respect.

In Oprah's biographical history, [t] he hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder, fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won; the hero returns from this miraculous adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man (Campbell). Oprah has successfully accomplished being a talk show host. As well, she challenged the fabulous forces that she encountered. This truly is why the story of Oprah Winfrey is one of supernatural wonder.