Becoming Helen Keller

Revisit the remarkable career and life of an icon who became a human rights pioneer.

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Becoming Helen Keller American Masters

Premiered October 19, 2021

Becoming Helen Keller

Revisit the complex life and legacy of the author, advocate and human rights pioneer. Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind, used her celebrity and wit to champion rights for women, people with disabilities and people living in poverty.

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Episode Extras

Elsa Sjunneson is a DeafBlind professor, published author, and modern-day Helen Keller.

Watch (07:46)

Clip

Elsa Sjunneson: DeafBlind author [Audio Description + ASL]

Elsa Sjunneson is a DeafBlind professor, published author, and modern-day Helen Keller.

Watch (07:48)

Clip

Elsa Sjunneson: DeafBlind fencer, hiker, published author

Elsa Sjunneson is a DeafBlind professor, published author, and modern-day Helen Keller.

Watch (13:16)

Clip

Elsa Sjunneson: DeafBlind author—Extended Audio Description

Rapper Warren "Wawa" Snipe talks about the inspiration for what he calls "Dip-Hop."

Watch (03:33)

Clip

Rapper Warren "Wawa" Snipe on hip-hop in the Deaf community

Revisit the remarkable career and life of an icon who became a human rights pioneer.

Watch (01:04)

Preview

Becoming Helen Keller

Helen Keller became interested in socialism and demanded equal rights for all.

Watch (01:41)

Clip

Helen Keller studied socialism

Helen Keller became interested in socialism and demanded equal rights for all.

Watch (01:41)

Clip

Helen Keller studied socialism [Audio Description]

Helen Keller was an activist who supported the labor movement and women's right to vote.

Watch (00:59)

Clip

Helen Keller the suffragist

Helen Keller was an activist who supported the labor movement and women's right to vote.

Watch (00:59)

Clip

Helen Keller the suffragist [Audio Description]

Alexander Graham Bell shunned sign language, encouraging Keller to use oral communication.

Watch (02:31)

Clip

Keller's use of oral communication

Alexander Graham Bell shunned sign language, encouraging Keller to use oral communication.

Watch (02:31)

Clip

Keller's use of oral communication [Audio Description]

All Episodes

American Masters: Season 35

Becoming Helen Keller [Extended Audio Description]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:36:11)

Becoming Helen Keller [Extended Audio Description]

Becoming Helen Keller: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:22:50)

Becoming Helen Keller

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:28:42)

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It

Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase The Blues Away: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:22:31)

Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase The Blues Away

Ballerina Boys: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (53:26)

Ballerina Boys

Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:39:49)

Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir

Program Specials & Extras

Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.

Watch (52:55)

Special

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]

Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.

Watch (1:00:13)

Special

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]

Quincy Jones discusses his early career, friendships and how he defines himself.

Watch (15:00)

Special

Quincy Jones explains how he got started in music

About the Program

American Masters

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

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