Today
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most famous talk show hosts, a producer, a media
proprietor and a philanthropist. She is also considered the most influential
woman in the world. In 2013 President Obama awarded Winfrey the Presidential
Medal Of Freedom.
However, things haven’t
always been so glamorous for one of the most famous TV personalities of all
time. She was originally named Orpah after a biblical character and born in
poverty to a single teenage mother. Oprah, who adopted that name after people
mispronounced her original one regularly, had a really tough childhood. Her
mother, a housemaid, couldn’t take proper care of her and would sent her to
live with her grandmother or father who would also treat her badly.
Many years after she began hosting her award-winning show Oprah
shared that she had been molested as a child. Because of the constant assault
Oprah ran away from home when she was 13 years old. Soon after that she got
pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy when she was 14 years old. Unfortunately,
the child passed away soon. The story was sold to a magazine by a relative of
Oprah who had betrayed her according to the host’s own words. Oprah also shared
with the public that she had chosen not to have children due to not being
parented well herself.
OPRAH VISITS MAHARISHI SCHOOL
When
Oprah Winfrey walked through the doors of Maharishi School of the Age of
Enlightenment on Wednesday, October 19th, I knew I would remember that day for
a long time. For several weeks, her Harpo Productions film crew was at the
school interviewing students. Rumors circulated that perhaps Oprah might make
an appearance, but nothing was certain.
When
she actually arrived, it was momentous. The shiny black SUV pulled up inside
the school fence, drove along the sidewalk and stopped. Faculty and
administrators peered out their office and classroom windows to catch a glimpse
of this woman who has touched so many lives.
There
she was, Oprah Winfrey, stepping out of her SUV, adjusting her sweater. Is it
really her, I wondered? Yes, it was—one of the most famous and powerful women
in the world, at little Maharishi School. Dr. Richard Beall, School Head,
greeted her. When she saw the school’s name, “Maharishi School of the Age of
Enlightenment,” engraved above the door, she told Richard, “I always wanted to
help create an Age of Enlightenment, but I didn’t know how.”
Bob
Daniels, Chairman of the School Board, attended a brief “Meet and Greet” with
Oprah, where she said, “How have you kept this school a secret for so long?
Well, it won’t be a secret any longer. “
She
walked up the center staircase to observe the Lower School children practice
their walking meditation. Then she went to the Hall of Bliss to see the 5th
through 12th grade girls meditating. She closed her eyes and meditated with
them. When her cameraman zoomed in on her, she waved him away. This was a
moment for her to relax, too.
Afterward
she spoke to the girls. Kai-Li Diyaljee, a 6th grade student, remembers what
Oprah said: "You're helping the world. You're raising consciousness in the
world. There are so many people talking about raising consciousness, and you
guys are living it. So, YAY for you!" (applause!)
Teachers
and staff members gathered in the lobby to greet Oprah as she was leaving. A
crew member warned us that Oprah was on a tight schedule, and not to be
disappointed if she didn’t talk and visit with us or shake our hands. But when
the great woman appeared we were thrilled that she took the time to shake every
single person’s hand. And then she stayed a few more moments to address our
group.
“Here
are our teachers,” she exclaimed. “I love teachers.”
“Teachers
can change lives,” she said. “It was my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Duncan, who
changed my life and helped me become the person I am today. So I always honor
teachers.“
She
continued, “Who knew that there was a school in Iowa based on consciousness?
I’ve done a lot of TV shows and often feel like it’s stepping backwards. With
you guys, it’s a giant leap forward. My whole life I’ve been trying to raise
awareness and help people live better lives. You guys are doing this. This is a
dream come true to see a school based on consciousness. It’s a very special day
to actually see it.”
When
all the faculty and staff applauded, Oprah motioned to the group and said,
“THANK YOU! You should celebrate yourselves. I’m clapping for you.”
“THANK YOU! You should celebrate yourselves. I’m clapping for you.”
So we all clapped. We clapped for her, she clapped for us, and we
concluded with an uplifting wave of mutual love and appreciation. This one
woman who can change the world left with a promise, “The TV show will make
people aware of Maharishi School. We will fill the school with students. The
world needs to know about you
