Helen Keller (1880 – 1968) was an American author and activist best known for her advocacy work for disability rights. Her authorship includes numerous books, essays, and speeches, most notably her biography The Story of My Life.
Keller published Optimism: An Essay in 1903, dedicated to her teacher (presumably Anne Sullivan, who served as her beloved instructor and friend throughout her life). The first section, “Optimism Within,” explores the nature and expression of optimism, and how it is expressed within the human spirit.
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