Because History Is Not My Strong Suit

[maerdi]

I'm looking for role models for poor people: someone(s) who started out in poverty and rose to do great things, someone(s) those in poverty could look up to and try to emulate.

Preferably someone(s) who didn't end up being assassinated.

Any ideas?

Comments

[zane314]

All the people that come to mind for me aren't famous, so are probably of no help. (My grandpa, my girlfriend)

[mtbg]

Cesar Chavez comes to mind. Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards each grew up in a family that was not well off. You may also be able to find a suitable example here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rags-to-riches

[avani]

Tracy Chapman is the first that comes to mind for me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracy_Chapman

How about going through lists of Olympians? MacArthur recipients?

[pmb]

Lots of actors, most notably Whoopi Goldberg.

Also John Rockefeller.

Also a buncha politicians - Colin Powell is a nice example.

[snailprincess]

The first person I thought of was J.K. Rowling. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of well known Authors who started life poor.