Helen Keller was an American author and political activist. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of her struggle to learn to communicate, championed by her teacher Anne Sullivan, was documented in the movie, "The Miracle Worker."

A prolific author, Keller was well traveled and was outspoken in her opposition to war. She campaigned for suffrage and workers' rights, as well as many other progressive causes. "Optimism" is an essay published by Helen Keller in 1903. It was dedicated by the author to Anne Sullivan, her teacher.