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Helen Keller

Helen Keller (1880–1968) was a suffragist, pacifist, and lifelong advocate for people with disabilities.

Helen Keller posing with her dog
Helen Keller and her dog, 1904. Radcliffe College Archives. Hollis #: olvwork359518

Keller became deaf and blind as the result of illness at the age of 19 months. She represents one of the most remarkable cases to date of a person who overcame severe disabilities to make outstanding contributions to society.

After graduating cum laude from Radcliffe College in 1904, she began working extensively in causes for the blind all over the world. She made many tours and held fundraising benefits for the American Foundation for the Blind. During and after World War II, she was untiring in her efforts to aid blinded veterans, orphans, and refugees. Various awards, honorary degrees, and citations were conferred upon Keller by foreign governments and civic, educational, and welfare organizations throughout the United States.

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