Tech Exposures

Inspiration comes from within – It’s never too late!

Harriet Beecher Stowe

1. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her first novel in 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, at the age of 41. She had been in a major depression as it was only three years after her son had died from cholera. Within the first year of publication, the book had sold 300,000 copies. By 1854, it had been translated into 60 languages and become the most sold book in the history of the world until that time. Her efforts have been hailed as one of the major contributing factors to the abolition of slavery in the United States.

2. Alexander Hamilton was the the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, and one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was born out of wedlock. His mother raised him alone until her death when he was 11. He was adopted by a cousin, who committed suicide six months later.

Comedian Rodney dangerfield

3. Famous stand up comedian Rodney Dangerfield started out in his profession at the tender age of 19. He struggled for nine years and gave it up to try a new career selling aluminum siding. He came back to his passion after thirteen years and was able to establish himself, at the age 41, of as one of the premier comedians of his time (70 appearances on the Tonight Show, Grammy Award Winner, starred in three movies, honored by the Smithsonian, and American Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement).

4. Maya Angelou, is a poet, author, civil rights activist, university professor, winner of three Grammies, pulitzer prize nomination, national book award nominee, and holds over 30 honorary degrees. Her parents divorced when she was three, and she was raised partially by her grandmother. She was raped at the age of eight by her mother’s

Poet Maya Angelou

friend. This trauma made her mute for the next five years of her life. From the age of 17 to 19 she worked as a prostitute and then became the madame of a whorehouse. In her 30s, she turned her life around to become one of America’s best-known poets and authors.

5. British statesman, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill was known for his oratory skills. He had a speech impediment that he worked to avoid his entire life. He had been defeated in every public election until being appointed prime minister in 1940 at the age of 61. He was again defeated after WWII in 1945, and subsequently won election again as PrimeMinister in 1951 at the age of 72 which he held for four years. Churchill’s famous quote: “Never give in–never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”

US President Abraham Lincoln

6. Abraham Lincoln who led the US during its most critical internal struggle of the Civil War and abolition of slavery, won the Republican party nomination in 1960 and became the 16th President of the United States. He was raised in a one room log cabin. His mother died when he was nine. Three of his four children died in childhood. He was estranged from his father. His formal schooling consisted of 18 months and he was largely self-educated, and practiced as a criminal lawyer for 23 years appearing before the Supreme Court over 400 times. He was defeated in his run for Illinois General Assembly in 1832. He was defeated in his bid for Senate in 1854. Defeated in two attempts for Vice Presidency.

7. Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, famous American baseball player, held the record for most homeruns nearly 40 years until Hank Aaron surpassed him in 1974. He also held the record for most strikeouts for 30 years and is still #87 on the alltime strikeouts list. He was quoted as saying “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run”.

Hall of Fame Baseball Player Henry Aaron

8. On the same topic, Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, was voted an all-star for twenty straight seasons. He held the homerun record for over 30 years until being eclipsed by Barry Bonds in 2007. As a black man, Aaron endured significant hardships on his path to glory. He endured death threats for his ‘daring’ to beat a white man’s record.

9. World famous jazz musician Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong was born out of wedlock. His father left him as an infant. His mother handed him off to be raised by his grandparents (who were former slaves). He left school at age 11. His first musical instrument was given to him by junk hauler who was Jewish. As a token of gratitude, Armstrong wore a Jewish Star of David pendant his entire life. Living on the streets even as a boy, he joined different colored ragtime bands and played to make ends meet. He considered the tough times as inspiration for his future musical potential “Every time I

Satchmo Louie Armstrong

close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine—I look right in the heart of good old New Orleans…It has given me something to live for.”

10. Michael Jordan for nearly two decades was the world’s most recognized athlete. He brought the Chicago Bulls to six world championships. As a teenager, he failed to make his high school basketball team. As a pro, his first 6 seasons, the Bulls were mediocre to below average. After winning three straight NBA Championships, he quit basketball to try his other passion, baseball, at which he failed miserably and did not make the team. That same year, his father was murdered in an apparent robbery. He returned the next year to theBulls and won another three consecutive NBA Championships. He retired from basketball, only to again return for another season with the Washington Wizards.

Michael Jordan

Jordan, who is recognized as one of the most competitive athletes to ever don a uniform, had this to say about failure: “I’ve failed over and over again in my life. That is why Isucceed.”

Share with everyone you know the message. We can all succeed.