The Miracle Worker

by Rivette Pena M.A.

William Gibson was born and raised in New York City. He later went on to study theatre at City College of New York. In 1957 he wrote the The Miracle Worker as a teleplay. Then he wrote it as a 3 act play in 1959.

This biographical play told the story of Anne Sullivan tutor of Hellen Keller and how she taught her sign language. Hellen Keller was blind, deaf and mute and lost her sight and hearing at 18 months old.

Her parents had to make a decision of whether or not to send their daughter to an asylum because they could not control her.

Annie who was half blind herself, came in and with her unusual teaching style and determination she managed to help Hellen learn sign language and opened up a whole new world for her.

This is such an inspirational story of a determined teacher who put everything she had into teaching this child to communicate. Not just communicate but to learn and flourish.

One extraordinary women leads another to find her voice and conviction. Hellen Keller went on to become an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. She campaigned for union rights and Women’s Suffrage.

In doing so she inspired so many others.

In the spirit of Women’s History Month, I saw it fitting to introduce these two remarkable women.