Helen Keller was an American educator and journalist, who became one of the leading humanitarians in the history of the United States. Born in 1880 in a small town in Alabama, Keller was stricken with a childhood disease that left her deaf and blind. Unable to see, or hear, Keller became difficult to deal 1 as her behavior was described by her family and friends as wild.
Soon Keller and her family developed their own type 2 sign language that allowed them to communicate. Keller was determined to become educated. After attending several schools, she became the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree.
In 1920, she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union, which is still active today. 3 all her accomplishments, she fell into disfavor with the American public because of her socialist views later in her life. She died in her sleep just days 4 her 88th birthday, but she lives in the American consciousness 5 her tireless work.