Annie Sullivan's graduation picture from Perkins School for the Blind 1886.	Annie as a young teacher.
Annie Mansfield Sullivan was born Johanna Sullivan on April 14, 1866 in the Feeding Hills area of Agawam, Massachusetts. By the age of four Annie was legally blind from Trachoma, an eye disease which eventually leads to total blindness. Orphaned at the age of nine she was sent to the Almshouse in Tewksbury, Massachusetts where her desire to be educated grew out of the enjoyment of being read to by the prostitutes there. When the state inspectors came to the Almshouse Annie hurled herself into the crowd and yelled to the head inspector "Mr. Sanborn, Mr. Sanborn, I want to go to school." On October 7, 1880, she entered the then Perkins Institution in South Boston. And though often on the verge of expulsion she graduated as class valedictorian in 1886. After several eye operations Annie's sight was partially restored. She was asked by the school's director to go to Alabama as a governess and teacher to a deaf-blind mute six and a half year old girl. On March 3, 1887 she arrived in Tuscumbia, Alabama to begin her work in earnest. Her student was Helen Adams Keller.
The Almshouse in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Annie spent five years of her childhood here.	Annie's greatest achievement was teaching Helen Keller.  She was the first person to successfully teach a deaf-blind and mute child.  Through the repeated use of the manual alphabet, Annie, reached Helen's mind. Helen was then able to connect a name to an object.  Annie, taught Helen to speak by the placement of Helen's hand on Annie's throat, nose and lips.  Sometimes Helen would put her hand done Annie's throat in order to learn to speak better.  Also, Annie, had Helen study for a time with the great voice coach, Sarah Fuller.
Teacher in the early 1930's. She was almost totally blind and had a glass right eye.	THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS STRONGER THAN ANYTHING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO IT. Annie was legally blind and Helen was blind and deaf. They accomplished more in their lives than most abled body people. SO WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE! DO ALL YOU CAN DO EVERYDAY.