Oprah Winfrey Foundation

In 1987, Winfrey established the Oprah Winfrey Foundation as a way to "support the inspiration, empowerment and education of women, children, and families around the world". Given her own history of abuse, Oprah initiated a campaign for a national database of child abusers in 1991. In December 1993, President Bill Clinton signed "Oprah's Bill," which became the National Child Protection Act, an act establishing a national registry of convicted child abusers.

In addition to the Angel Network, Oprah has focused her energy on creating The Oprah Winfrey Foundation Leadership Academy. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation was created to operate the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. The Academy is a free, residential school for academically talented girls in grades 7 through 12. The girls come from disadvantaged families and without the Academy would not have a chance at an education otherwise. Oprah says that “The school will teach girls to be the best human beings they can ever be; it will train them to become decision-makers and leaders; it will be a model school for the rest of the world.”

110 N. Carpenter St.
Chicago, IL 60607
Contact: Caren Yanis
Telephone: (312) 633-1000