Record #:

23412

Author(s):

Kammerer, Roger

Abstract:

Helen Keller (1880-1968) perhaps the most celebrated woman in America in her time, and her teacher, Mrs. Anne Sullivan Macy, came to Greenville on tour on May 1, 1916. She spoke at the East Carolina Teachers Training School and a large crowd found her to be “intelligent, brilliant, cheerful, witty, and the very soul of happiness.” The address began with Mrs. Macy who gave a sketch of Keller’s life and prepared the audience to meet her in person. Keller was then led out on the stage to the rostrum, smiling and bowing. The enthralled crowd erupted in applause. While giving her talk, Keller caught the odor of a lily and wanted to find it. Mrs. Macy led her to it and Keller smelled and caressed it and said: “beautiful, beautiful.” The local newspaper the next day proclaimed that everyone felt they had “witnessed a miracle in seeing Helen Keller.”

Source:

Greenville Times / Pitt's Past (NC Microforms), Vol. Issue , Jun 7-20 2006, p7

Subject(s):

Keller, Helen, 1880-1968