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HELEN KELLER’S SPEECH

1925 International Convention
Cedar Point, Ohio USA June 30, 1925

Dear Lions and Ladies:
I suppose you have heard the legend that
represents opportunity as a capricious
lady, who knocks at every door but once,
and if the door isn’t opened quickly, she
passes on, never to return. And that is as
it should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won’t
wait. You have to go out and grab ‘em.
I am your opportunity. I am knocking
at your door. I want to be adopted. The
legend doesn’t say what you are to do
when several beautiful opportunities
present themselves at the same door. I
guess you have to choose the one you love best. I hope you will
adopt me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is full of
splendid opportunities for service.

Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no
preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind
man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your
sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will
you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade
against darkness?
I thank you.

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