1896 - 1904

During the time Helen and Anne lived in Massachusetts, and especially during the time she was in college, she became a national celebrity.  As such, she was frequently visited by and invited to visit many important people and celebrities.  By 1904 she had already met three presidents in person — Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt. 

Helen with Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemons, Anne Sullivan and Dr. Edward Everett Hale

She counted among her friends Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, John Greenleaf Whittier, William Dean Howells, Samuel Clemens, Dr. Edward Everett Hale, Lawrence Hutton and Bishop Phillips Brooks.  She also met many of the famous actors and artists that lived in the New England area, and many of the famous Harvard alumni that lived in the area.

Helen had also traveled fairly extensively.  Although by 1904, she had not yet traveled outside of North America, she aspired to travel all over the world.  During the next 60 years, she would travel around the world as an ambassador for the blind, and helping to create several international organizations.