Hard Work
About This Billboard
Whoopi Goldberg was born in New York City in 1955, as Caryn Johnson. She spent the first years of her life in a public housing project in Manhattan. Over the course of a turbulent early life, she survived poverty, drug addiction, single motherhood and a stint on welfare to become one of America's most beloved entertainers.
Whoopi also struggled with dyslexia and, as a result, dropped out of high school. "I knew I wasn't stupid, and I knew I wasn't dumb. My mother told me that. Everybody told me I wasn't stupid or dumb. If you read to me, I could tell you everything that you read. They didn't know what it was. They knew I wasn't lazy, but what was it?" When she was an adult, she finally found the reason for her reading struggles - dyslexia. As Whoopi once recounted, "I learned from a guy who was running a program and he had written a sentence on a board. And I said to him, 'You know, I can't read that.' And he said, 'Why not?' And I said, 'Because it doesn't make any sense to me.' So he said, 'Well, whatever you see, write exactly what you see underneath.' And so, he brought me to letters by coordinating what I saw to something called an A, or a B, or a C, or a D, and that was pretty cool."
She said it still takes effort, but time and hard work has made it easier for her to read.
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Live Your Dreams (Susan Boyle) -
Drive -
Believe -
Friendship -
Purpose -
Charity -
Leadership -
Preparation -
Stewardship -
Optimism (Michael J. Fox) -
Character -
Excellence -
Motivation -
Sportsmanship -
Giving Back -
Peace -
Live Life -
Love -
Devotion -
Confidence -
Ambition -
Inspiration (Norman Rockwell) -
Foresight -
Achievement -
Believe In Yourself -
Caring -
Class And Grace -
Commitment -
Compassion -
Courage (Muhammad Ali) -
Courage -
Dedication -
Determination -
Determination (Brooke Ellison) -
Hard Work -
Helping Others -
Ingenuity -
Inspiration -
Integrity -
Live Your Dreams -
Opportunity -
Optimism -
Overcoming -
Perseverance -
Persistence -
Rising Above -
Sacrifice -
Soul -
Strength -
Teamwork -
Unity -
Vision -
Volunteering
Your Comments
Christmas Eve I had dinner with my mother at a Pizza Hut. There was a young kid (maybe 10 years old) with an apron and uniform on busing tables and cleaning. He was doing that while waiting for his mother to get off of work. I left him a note that said "Merry Christmas Little Brother" and left five dollars for him.
Posted 8 months ago by Dustin K. from Chandler, AZ
I'm one of the Mother's Against Dyslexia: DAM... My daughter will never LOVE reading, but when since finishing the Susan Barton system she CAN read the autobiography of Kat Von D, Whoopi and others who inspire and perservere!!!
Posted 10 months ago by Ann W from San Diego, CA
We are blessed in so many ways. Using your gifts and talents for the betterment of others is our way of giving back.
Posted about 1 year ago by Mr. C. from Marion Station, Maryland
That is very good for people that has some healthy problem or personal problems. I think that if you work very hard in something you can achieve what you propose. Whoopi Goldberg is an example of this.
Posted over 1 year ago by Maria R. from Spain
I loved and deeply admired Whoopi even before I read this billboard. Whenever I see her on the screen my heart jumps and I'd love to see her in person some day....
Maybe she is interested in yoga....I might give her private yoga lessons when we meet....smile, smile, smile...
Posted over 1 year ago by Karin P. from Libya
That is really cool how she did that and she did not give up she worked hard to do that:)
Posted over 1 year ago by from
This billboard inspired me and was Amazing!
Posted almost 2 years ago by Jake. B from Mac, Oregon
I too have suffered with dyslexia. Here is a poem to all.
To Be My Best
To be my best, is all I wish.
Is it too hard for this?
As time goes on, I'm aware,
that life's lessons are everywhere.
To be my best is all in time,
with patience, love, and friends of mine.
Just give me a minute to explain,
whilst I make this story plain.
With love and patience, I will strive,
to be the best at what I do.
With my friends, I will share
my thoughts with them, and my fears.
They will advise me, the best they could,
then I will decide if I should.
Posted almost 2 years ago by Samuel C. from Toronto, Canada
My child is severely dyslexic. Through early diagnosis, proper intervention and his hard work, he is now in 7th grade and a B student!
Posted about 2 years ago by Mary T. from Birmingham, AL
Thank You FBL Foundation! These Billboards represent the best in all of us-Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted almost 3 years ago by Don P. from Anderson, Indiana USA
I did not get diagnosised till I was 25. I was told by a reading teacher and 4th grade that I was lazy. My whole childhood was filled with hurt and pain. Thank you so much for making it OK.
Posted almost 3 years ago by Debbie W. from Michigan, USA
I am so pleased that this billboard has been created. My 10 year old daughter has dyslexia and often feels all alone, I'm glad she can see have tangible evidence of successes.
Posted almost 3 years ago by Jean S. from Marysville, Michigan USA
This gives my brother, who is dyslexic, hope for a future.
Posted about 3 years ago by Karolina K. from Guelph, Ontario Canada
nice job keep growing
Posted about 3 years ago by D Amilare from nigeria
I am a slow learner but once I get the grip of things I am good to go. I learn that everything comes with practice
Posted about 3 years ago by Mary J from Jamaica
That's right hard work makes you powerful. I can relate to her, I am a hard of hearing person and it does not stop me from achieving.
Posted over 3 years ago by Sandra L. from Texas, USA
Amazing, truly amazing!
Posted over 3 years ago by William L. from St. Louis, MO