This concept by John Swansbrug of ‘rag to riches’ is ideal for a self made person. I think that idea is brilliant. The survey of the Pew Economic Mobility Project found that “39% of people thought it was common for someone that comes from poverty to become rich” (Swansbrug 5). While “71% said that hard work and drive” were keys to success (Swansbrug 5).

There have been many stories of poor men who become self made. But I think that as the years that have pasted; we have seen the rise of the self made woman. As soon as the world stop viewing women as cleaners and cookers at home; we have seen the explosion of self made women.

There are a few women who are have done brilliant things for example Madame CJ Walker (aka the savior for black girls’ hair). She started off making hair products for local black women because the products that were out there weren’t catered to their hair type. So she made her own hair products and became the first woman millionaire. But the greatest of them all is…. OPRAH!!!!

Oprah Winfrey is a true “rag to riches” story for start to finish. She was born to an unmarried teenage mother in January 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She spent her early years living in poverty with her grandmother then later moving to Milwaukee. Winfrey was an excellent student and got a full ride to Tennessee State. She later relocated to Chicago and became the one of the richest women alive.

Regardless of your options on her, she is a true self made woman. But she is also an American icon. When I hear the name Oprah, I think of her show, her television network and until recently Weight Watchers (in which she made 20 million dollars off of). This woman is magical and most of the things she touches turns to gold. And within her career of 30-plus years, she has been able to stay relevant.

And if that’s not an icon, then I don’t know what an icon is.