My Role Model

Today, I want to introduce to you one very special person. You probably have heard of this woman, but maybe you didn’t know of her background. This woman was born without father. That is because at the age of 13 year, her mother was raped and she was the result of the rape. Now if you think of a woman like that would you think that she would have a bright future? Probably not.

So when she was born she was abandoned by her mother. She had no family and she was adopted. Unfortunately the person who adopted her were irresponsible and very cruel. She was sexually and physically abused over a period of 15 years. She was forced to take drugs and she was sent to a juvenile home for misbehavior.

She went in and out of rehabilitation for cocaine abuse. She was forced to steal. And the sad and ironic thing is this, at 13 year old herself, she was also raped. She got pregnant and she gave birth to a still born child. Now as I told you the story of this woman, would you feel sorry for her? A lot of us would. And let’s say today this woman is a complete wreck, totally depressed, on drugs, would you blame her? A lot of people won’t blame her, they will say it’s not her fault it is the environment.

But what if I tell you what happened to this woman today, she is one of the most successful respected and wealthiest women in the world today. She is Oprah Winfrey.

MY CORPORATE HERO

Have you ever heard of Oprah Winfrey? How many of you have watched her show Oprah Prime Time? Is it inspiring? And on the show she talks about things that inspire people. She talks about social issues; she interviews celebrities like Bill Clinton, Tom Cruise etc.

But that was not how she started. When she started her talk show ten years ago she was a nobody, and being a black woman there was a lot of racism. And when she first started her talk shows, do you know who she interviewed? She interviewed people who had been raped, people who went through emotional trauma, people who are divorced, people who have attempted suicide. And during her 1 hour talk show, she would inspire and counsel them. And people who have attended her talk show, they would say, “My life is better after talking to her and I will conquer the world”. When people saw her show on TV that’s how they became inspired and that’s how she also became as famous as Oprah. The woman can change lives.

That is the reason why when MyPaper asked me who is my corporate hero? my answer is Oprah Winfrey. She is my role model.  Just like her, I do came from less fortunate background too (although compare to her, I was considered more fortunate). I managed to overcome that, and now I want to inspire other people and encourage them to make the most of their lives.

And I'm really very happy and fortunate to have the opportunity to create an impact in people's lives (especially women) through my books and seminars.

Tonight (1st April 2010, 7-9.30pm), I'll be the guest speaker for "Women Powertalk Event"
(to know more visit www.womenpowertalk.com)

And this coming Saturday (3rd April 2010, 2-4pm), I will also be one of the panelist for this event

 PAYM POLICY FORUM ON "WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE NEW WORLD”

sharing platform with the Guest Of Honor: Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Transport.

If you are interested you can come down and meet me in person in above mentioned events. 
(email to merry@merryriana.co.id)

* Oprah Winfrey biography was adapted from book "Master Your Mind, Design Your Destiny"

Related posts:

1. What makes one a Great Leader ?
2. Proud to be a Woman
3. Career vs Family ?
4. Inspiration from My Husband