June 27th

On this day in 1820 the American writer and activist Helen Keller was born in Alabama.

At the age of nineteen months, Keller suffered a severe illness that left her deaf and blind. Her loving parents sought help far and wide to no avail until eventually introduced to Anne Sullivan, a partially sighted teacher of great skill and determination, when their daughter was seven years old.

Sullivan interacted with her pupil so successfully that Helen Keller was eventually able to achieve a university degree and go on to write many books and to campaign tirelessly for the rights of women and deprived minorities.Until her death in 1936, Annie Sullivan continued to work uncomplaining, at Helen’s side. Helen herself lived on until 1968 by which time she was a world famous figure.

This beautiful...

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