Oprah Winfrey Leadership Paper
Background
Transformational leaders transform their followers lives in a positive way. According to Psychology Today, transformational leaders influence followers to reach their highest potential while simultaneously empowering them to become leaders.
Oprah Winfrey is a prime example of a transformational leader. She was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi in complete poverty. Since birth she was raised by her grandmother until she turned six when she moved in with her mother. After growing up in a turbulent atmosphere, Winfrey eventually went on to become one the top most influential leaders on the planet (Biography, n.d.).
By the early 1970’s, Winfrey enrolled in Tennessee State University and …show more content…
Additionally, Winfrey’s humanitarian efforts date back to the early 1990’s. In 1991, Winfrey started the National Child Protection Act, which seeks to positively impact lives through education initiatives such as The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (Oprah, 2008).
In December 2000, Winfrey visited Nelson Mandela and made a vow to build a state - of - the - art all - girls school in South Africa. Exactly two years later, December 6, 2002, Mandela, Professor Kader Asmal, then the Minister of Education, and Winfrey all began work on the construction of the school. (OWLA - About Us, n.d.).
Five years later in January 2007, the school opened its doors for seventh and eighth grade girls. By 2011, it reached its capacity with 380 girls in seventh through twelfth grade. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation awarded over $40 million to the Academy’s construction. Oprah has proven that she is strong leader with the power to change lives in a positive way (OWLA - About Us, …show more content…
Oprah sat down with Billy Bush from the Today Show and admitted that she had past experience with drug abuse in her 20’s . She admitted to smoking crack with her boyfriend at the time. Similarly, her childhood was rather turbulent. (Oprah Opens Up About Drugs, Abuse, 2015). After becoming pregnant at the age of 14, Winfrey attempted suicide by drinking laundry detergent. Winfrey told Piers Morgan during an interview that the pregnancy was the result of sexual promiscuity, bad judgement, and sexual abuse from the ages nine to thirteen. After her mother found out about the pregnancy her mother sent her away to live with her father, Vernon Winfrey, in Nashville, Tennessee (Shadid,
Background
Transformational leaders transform their followers lives in a positive way. According to Psychology Today, transformational leaders influence followers to reach their highest potential while simultaneously empowering them to become leaders.
Oprah Winfrey is a prime example of a transformational leader. She was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi in complete poverty. Since birth she was raised by her grandmother until she turned six when she moved in with her mother. After growing up in a turbulent atmosphere, Winfrey eventually went on to become one the top most influential leaders on the planet (Biography, n.d.).
By the early 1970’s, Winfrey enrolled in Tennessee State University and …show more content…
Additionally, Winfrey’s humanitarian efforts date back to the early 1990’s. In 1991, Winfrey started the National Child Protection Act, which seeks to positively impact lives through education initiatives such as The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (Oprah, 2008).
In December 2000, Winfrey visited Nelson Mandela and made a vow to build a state - of - the - art all - girls school in South Africa. Exactly two years later, December 6, 2002, Mandela, Professor Kader Asmal, then the Minister of Education, and Winfrey all began work on the construction of the school. (OWLA - About Us, n.d.).
Five years later in January 2007, the school opened its doors for seventh and eighth grade girls. By 2011, it reached its capacity with 380 girls in seventh through twelfth grade. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation awarded over $40 million to the Academy’s construction. Oprah has proven that she is strong leader with the power to change lives in a positive way (OWLA - About Us, …show more content…
Oprah sat down with Billy Bush from the Today Show and admitted that she had past experience with drug abuse in her 20’s . She admitted to smoking crack with her boyfriend at the time. Similarly, her childhood was rather turbulent. (Oprah Opens Up About Drugs, Abuse, 2015). After becoming pregnant at the age of 14, Winfrey attempted suicide by drinking laundry detergent. Winfrey told Piers Morgan during an interview that the pregnancy was the result of sexual promiscuity, bad judgement, and sexual abuse from the ages nine to thirteen. After her mother found out about the pregnancy her mother sent her away to live with her father, Vernon Winfrey, in Nashville, Tennessee (Shadid,