OPRAH.....my ever favourite Lady! ....................Quotations included!

More on Oprah's Philanthropy

A Christmas party for 50,000 orphans in South Africa. Building and furnishing homes for 250 families impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Grants totaling over $1 million to the East Asian tsunami recovery. One name is behind all of that and more - Oprah Winfrey.

You may think Oprah's Angel Network is the organization behind all of the philanthropy associated with Oprah - because it's the most well known charity associated with Oprah.

In reality, Oprah has three organizations to focus on her charitable work, but all have a similar focus. They give grants and fund projects that start movements. That inspire. That build up. That create opportunities.

It is important to know how we work though. Here's an explanation of the different organizations and examples of their work.

Oprah's Angel Network Dedicated to inspiring people to make a difference in the lives of others, Oprah's Angel Network awards grants to organizations and operates projects that make a difference in underserved communities. To date in 2006, Oprah's Angel Network distributed more than $2.5 million to 33 organizations and projects making a difference in underserved communities. In addition, it distributed more than $16.5 million towards disaster recovery programs helping people rebuild and strengthen their lives and communities after the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Oprah's Angel Network is a public charity that accepts donations.

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation This organization's focus is building the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls - South Africa. Scheduled to open in January 2007, the free, residential school will eventually be home to 450 girls in grades 7-12. The students, who will have been going to school in South Africa, will come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. It's Oprah's dream to see the Academy develop the future women leaders for South Africa. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation is a private operating foundation under the direction of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey funds the majority of its work.

The Oprah Winfrey Foundation

The Oprah Winfrey Foundation provides grants to not-for-profit organizations that offer educational opportunities and enhance the quality of life for children and families throughout the world.

So far in 2006, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation distributed more than $6.5 million to 18 organizations and sponsored the building of a 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility for The Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club of Kosciusko/Attala County.

The Oprah Winfrey Foundation is a private foundation under the direction of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey funds virtually all of its work without donations from the public.

Quotation of Oprah Winfrey,

My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.

• I think that when you invite people to your home, you invite them to yourself.

• Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.
• As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.
• Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
• Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us.
• I define joy as a sustained sense of well-being and internal peace - a connection to what matters.
• I finally realized that being grateful to my body was key to giving more love to myself.
• I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become.
• I trust that everything happens for a reason, even when we're not wise enough to see it.
• If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think.
• In every aspect of our lives, we are always asking ourselves, How am I of value? What is my worth? Yet I believe that worthiness is our birthright.
• Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life's blessings.
• Partake of some of life's sweet pleasures. And yes, get comfortable with yourself.
• The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.
• The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.
• The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.
• Though I am grateful for the blessings of wealth, it hasn't changed who I am. My feet are still on the ground. I'm just wearing better shoes.
• Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.
• We are each responsible for our own life - no other person is or even can be.
• What I know for sure is that what you give comes back to you.
• What we're all striving for is authenticity, a spirit-to-spirit connection.
• Whatever you fear most has no power - it is your fear that has the power.
• With every experience, you alone are painting your own canvas, thought by thought, choice by choice.
• I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time.
• If you neglect to recharge a battery, it dies. And if you run full speed ahead without stopping for water, you lose momentum to finish the race.
• Use what you have to run toward your best - that's how I now live my life.
• Getting my lifelong weight struggle under control has come from a process of treating myself as well as I treat others in every way.
• I believe the choice to be excellent begins with aligning your thoughts and words with the intention to require more from yourself.
• Every time you state what you want or believe, you're the first to hear it. It's a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don't put a ceiling on yourself.
• Be more splendid, more extraordinary. Use every moment to fill yourself up.
• Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.
• Every time you suppress some part of yourself or allow others to play you small, you are in essence ignoring the owner's manual your creator gave you and destroying your design.
• With every experience, you alone are painting your own canvas, thought by thought, choice by choice.
• The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.
• Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possiblity.
• I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become.
• Use what you have to run toward your best - that's how I now live my life.
• Be more splendid, more extraordinary. Use every moment to fill yourself up.
• I believe that uncertainty is really my spirit's way of whispering, "I'm in flux. I can't decide for you. Something is off-balance here."
• I believe that [everyone] is the keeper of a dream - and by tuning into one another's secret hopes, we can become better friends, better partners, better parents, and better lovers.
• Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you're going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.
• Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.
• You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more.
• Every time you suppress some part of yourself or allow others to play you small, you are in essence ignoring the owner's manual your creator gave you and destroying your design.
• Getting my lifelong weight struggle under control has come from a process of treating myself as well as I treat others in every way.
• All these years I've been feeling like I was growing into myself. Finally, I feel grown.
• You can take from every experience what it has to offer you. And you cannot be defeated if you just keep taking one breath followed by another.
• Let your light shine. Shine within you so that it can shine on someone else. Let your light shine.
• I would visualize things coming to me. It would just make me feel better. Visualization works if you work hard. That's the thing. You can't just visualize and go eat a sandwich.
• Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can have. It's much sexier than any body part.
• It is confidence in our bodies, minds and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures, new directions to grow in, and new lessons to learn - which is what life is all about.
• To have that sense of one's intrinsic worth... is potentially to have everything...
• The roses, the lovely notes, the dining and dancing are all welcome and splendid. But when the Godiva is gone, the gift of real love is having someone who'll go the distance with you. Someone who, when the wedding day limo breaks down, is willing to share a seat on the bus.
• If you neglect to recharge a battery, it dies. And if you run full speed ahead without stopping for water, you lose momentum to finish the race.
• I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time.
• Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don't fight them. Just find a different way to stand.
• Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it's right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.
• Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.
• I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.
• The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.
• The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.
• I believe the choice to be excellent begins with aligning your thoughts and words with the intention to require more from yourself.
• Every time you state what you want or believe, you're the first to hear it. It's a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don't put a ceiling on yourself.
• I believe that one of life's greatest risks is never daring to risk.
• Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.
• There's no easy way out. If there were, I would have bought it. And believe me, it would be one of my favorite things!
• I think that when you invite people to your home, you invite them to yourself.