American poet, author and teacher
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks on May 1, 1950 won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for Annie Allen, thereby becoming the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize.
Considered one of the most revered poets in history dating back to the 20th century, her work which often centered on celebrating victories and struggles of ordinary people in her community reflected the political and social landscape of the 1960s, including the civil rights movement and the economic climate.
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 – 2000)
served as poetry consultant to the Library of Congress, becoming the first Black woman to hold that position. She was also the poet laureate of the State of Illinois.
In 1989 she received a lifetime achievement award from the National Endowment for the Arts. She became a professor of English at Chicago State University in 1990 and held that position until her death.
Her notable works are;
“Annie Allen”
“The Bean Eaters”
“In the Mecca”
“A Street in Bronzeville.”
