Who helped Who? by Alexis

Who helped Who? by Alexis - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

The first book that came to mind when I read this prompt was “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. The moment I started reading this book I was hooked and the first character to catch my attention was Skeeter. She was the woman that stood for everything she believed in whether her views were of the majority of others or not. Her desire for the truth and authenticity in what she chose to write her articles on was the biggest thing that attracted to me towards her and has incredibly influenced me as the woman I am today.

The story of “The Help” is far from just a story and Skeeter is not just a character she is me. I am always fighting for equality amongst people in America. We have come a long way as far as recognizing the human beings that make up America’s history however reading “The Help” showed me that our country still has much to work on if authors are still finding the drive to write books such as these.

Skeeter to me is a real woman and she influenced my life not only in the way I think, but to not to be afraid to write about the truth. She was fearless when it came to addressing quote on quote controversy issues and that is where I am now in my life. I write on many topics that can tend to cause a heavy shift in the water and I do it because I want people to see the real struggles and problems that occur in America instead of being swept under the rug.

Another dimension to Skeeter’s character is the fact she often challenged the status quo of women at the time she lived in. I also feel in the year of 2014 I am constantly challenging the status quo when it comes to how women are supposed to act. Reading “The Help” created a space in my mind that it was perfectly okay to dress and act the way I do. Skeeter did the same things I do and she made it as a writer and eventually got a husband because the man she was dating realized how valuable she was not only with her beauty but brains too. That is one thing I admired so much about Skeeter she never let a man’s expectations change who she was. She always was the same whether she was dressed in something to kick around in or dressed very fancy her true self always shined brightly. Her ability to do this helped validate the way I acted as a teenager and helped me become the woman I am now today.

Skeeter helped me keep my courage and integrity that is always challenged in the beliefs I choose to continue to fight for as a woman and writer. Her influence as a teenager when I read this book taught me valuable lessons now that I put into practice as a grown woman.