How Does Oprah's Childhood Impact Society

Poverty, constant transitions, abuse, and education not only define Oprah’s childhood but also contribute to her impact on society. Vernita Lee conceived Oprah on January 29, 1954 while her Oprah’s father, Vernon Winfrey, served in the army. Oprah and her mother resided at a small farm located in Mississippi owned by Hattie May, Oprah’s grandmother (Nelson, 1896). Since Lee desired to improve her quality of life, she relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to find work, abandoning her daughter at Hattie’s Mays farm. Although Hattie May faced the disadvantages of poverty such as the lack of indoor plumbing, she raised Oprah to value education, the Bible, and responsibility. Oprah’s chores consisted of fetching water, tending to farm animals, and washing laundry. Hattie May taught Oprah how to read by the time she was three years old. She also encouraged Oprah to memorize scripture. At a young age, Oprah began public speaking by reciting scripture at …show more content…
Hattie May lost her ability to raise Oprah due to sickness. As a result, Oprah moved to Wisconsin to live with her mother in a one bedroom, crowded boarding house (Krohn, 2009). Lee constantly worked as a maid to provide for her family. She often favored her second child, Oprah’s younger step sister, and did not encourage Oprah's passion for reading leaving Oprah feeling unloved and unwelcome. During Oprah's teenage years, a babysitter raped her, resulting in pregnancy. Oprah’s son passed away during early childbirth. Other male family members also continued to perpetrated sexual abuse, causing her to face rejection and feel unloved. She no longer excelled at school and struggled to maintain her grades As an attempt to fulfill to her desire to feel loved and wanted, Oprah engaged in a rebellious lifestyle through manipulation and dishonesty. She ran away from home at the age of fourteen to escape her dysfunctional