Contrary Wife

Helen Keller was a normal, healthy little girl until she was 19 months old. A serious illness – maybe scarlet fever or meningitis – left her blind and deaf. When Helen was 7 her parents hired 20-year-old Anne Sullivan as her governess. Trachoma had left Anne with very limited sight, but she was a patient and skilled teacher. With Anne’s help, Helen learned to communicate using sign language and to read braille. Eventually Helen even learned to speak. Anne and Helen became lifelong companions. They were awarded honorary degrees from Harvard, Temple University and the Educational Institute of Scotland. They worked tirelessly to oppose war and promote women's suffrage. They fought for equal rights for blacks, and campaigned against segregating people with disabilities. Anne lived to the age of 70. When she passed away, Helen was holding her hand. In 1968, when Helen died, her ashes were placed next to Anne’s in the Washington National Cathedral.