Amanda Gorman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amanda Gorman
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Gorman in 2021 at the inauguration of Joe Biden delivering "The Hill We Climb"
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| Born | March 7, 1998 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | Harvard University (BA) |
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Notable work
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"The Hill We Climb" |
| National Youth Poet Laureate | |
| In office April 2017 – April 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Inaugural holder |
| Succeeded by | Patricia Frazier Shay |
| Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate | |
| In office 2014–2015 |
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| Preceded by | Inaugural holder |
| Succeeded by | Rhiannon McGavin |
Amanda S. C. Gorman, born on March 7, 1998, is an American poet, activist, and model. Her poems often talk about important topics. These include fairness, women's rights, and the experiences of different groups of people.
Gorman was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. This is a special title for young poets in the United States. She became very famous in 2021. This happened after she wrote and read her poem "The Hill We Climb". She read it at the inauguration of Joe Biden, who became president.
Her poem at the inauguration was loved around the world. Soon after, two of her books became best-sellers. She also signed a professional management contract. Time magazine featured her on their "100 Next" list. She was called a "Phenom," meaning someone with amazing talent.
Gorman also made history as the first poet to perform at the Super Bowl. She read her poem "Chorus of the Captains" at Super Bowl LV.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Amanda Gorman grew up in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Joan Wicks, was an English teacher. Amanda was raised by her single mother along with her two siblings. Her twin sister, Gabrielle, is an activist and filmmaker. Gorman has shared that she grew up with limited TV access.
Gorman has an auditory processing disorder. This means her brain processes sounds differently. She was also very sensitive to sounds. As a child, she had a speech impediment, which made it hard to say some words. She went to speech therapy to help with this.
Gorman sees her speech challenges as a strength. She said that because of these difficulties, she became very good at reading and writing. She practiced saying difficult sounds by singing songs. Her favorite was "Aaron Burr, Sir" from the musical Hamilton. This song helped her practice the "R" sound.
She attended New Roads, a private school in Santa Monica, from kindergarten through 12th grade. She received a scholarship for college. Gorman studied sociology at Harvard College and graduated in 2020. She also spent a semester studying in Madrid, Spain.
Poetry and Activism Career
Early Work and Recognition (2014–2020)
Gorman's poetry and activism focus on important social issues. These include fairness, women's rights, and the experiences of people from the African diaspora. She was inspired to become a youth delegate for the United Nations in 2013. This happened after she heard a speech by Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.
In 2014, Gorman was chosen as the first youth poet laureate of Los Angeles. She published her first poetry book, The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough, in 2015.
In 2016, Gorman started a non-profit group called One Pen One Page. This program helps young people with writing and leadership skills. She also wrote a tribute poem for black athletes for Nike. She signed a book deal to write two children's picture books.
In 2017, Gorman became the first youth poet to open the literary season for the Library of Congress. She also read her poetry on MTV. She wrote "In This Place: An American Lyric" for a performance at the Library of Congress. This poem was later displayed at the Morgan Library and Museum.
While at Harvard, Gorman became the first National Youth Poet Laureate in April 2017. She won a $10,000 grant from a media company called OZY. This award helps college students pursue their great ideas.
Gorman has often said she plans to run for president in 2036. She believes that as a young black woman, she can inspire people. She wants to turn her words into real actions and changes. After her inauguration poem, Hillary Clinton supported Gorman's dream for 2036.
In 2019, The Root magazine named her one of their "Young Futurists." This list celebrates bright young African-Americans in various fields. In May 2020, Gorman appeared on a web series called Some Good News. She met Oprah Winfrey and gave a virtual graduation speech. In 2020, she also presented "Earthrise," a poem about the climate crisis.
Inauguration Poem and Fame (2021–Present)
Gorman read her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. She was the youngest poet ever to read at a US presidential inauguration. Jill Biden suggested her for the event. After the events at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, Gorman changed her poem. She added lines to address the storming of the Capitol. She hoped her poem would bring unity to the country.
Before her performance, Gorman said she uses a special saying to prepare. She tells herself, "I'm the daughter of black writers. We're descended from freedom fighters who broke through chains and changed the world. They call me."
Soon after her inauguration performance, her two upcoming books became best-sellers on Amazon. These were the poetry collection The Hill We Climb and a children's book, Change Sings: A Children's Anthem. A book version of "The Hill We Climb" was published in March 2021. It quickly became a number one best-seller.
In December 2021, Amanda Gorman released her poetry collection, Call Us What We Carry. This book was praised for exploring themes like identity and strength.
IMG Models signed Gorman for fashion and beauty endorsements. She was also asked to write a poem for the Super Bowl LV pregame ceremony. She honored three essential workers: a Marine veteran, an educator, and an ICU nurse manager. Gorman said, "Poetry at the Super Bowl is a feat for art and our country."
Gorman appeared on the cover of Time magazine in February 2021. In March 2021, she shared that she was racially profiled by a security guard. She tweeted about it, saying, "This is the reality of black girls: One day you're called an icon, the next day, a threat." She added, "I AM A THREAT: a threat to injustice, to inequality, to ignorance."
She was also the first poet to be featured on the cover of Vogue magazine. Gorman has turned down many endorsement offers that did not align with her values. In September 2021, she became the first "Global Changemaker" for Estée Lauder. She also co-hosted the Met Gala on September 13, 2021.
After the May 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Gorman wrote a poem. She encouraged action for gun safety. She also continued to support women's rights in a poem posted on Twitter in June 2022.
In 2023, access to "The Hill We Climb" was limited at a school in Florida. Gorman responded, saying it was wrong to deny children the chance to find their voices in literature. Gorman was a speaker at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Influences and Style
Gorman has shared that her early writing was like Anne of Green Gables. Then she discovered the work of Toni Morrison in middle school. She realized stories could be about people who looked like her. In high school, she read poems by black women like Audre Lorde and Phillis Wheatley. She then started writing poems about social justice.
Gorman sees a connection between fashion and poetry. She draws inspiration from people like Maya Angelou and Michelle Obama. She believes her clothing helps express her identity as a poet.
Personal Life
Gorman is a member of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Los Angeles.
Awards and Recognition
- 2014: Chosen as the first youth poet laureate of Los Angeles
- 2017: Chosen as National Youth Poet Laureate
- 2017: Ozy Genius Award
- 2018: Named one of Glamour magazine's College Women of the Year
- 2018: Presented a poem at the inauguration of President of Harvard University Lawrence Bacow
- 2019: Named on The Root's "Young Futurists" list
- 2021: Selected to read at the inauguration of Joe Biden, becoming the youngest poet ever to read at a US presidential inauguration
- 2021: Highlighted by Time magazine in their Time100 Next list, under the category of "Phenoms"
- 2021: Winner Goodreads Choice Awards - Best Poetry for The Hill We Climb
- 2022: A new species of alga was named Gormaniella terricola after her.
- 2022: Winner Goodreads Choice Awards - Best Poetry for Call Us What We Carry
- 2022: Winner Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Program - We the People
- 2023: Nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards for Call Us What We Carry.
- 2023: Elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society.
Interesting Facts About Amanda Gorman
- Amanda Gorman is the youngest poet ever to read at a U.S. presidential inauguration.
- In 2017, Gorman said she plans to run for president in 2036. She has often repeated this goal. Hillary Clinton even tweeted her support for Gorman's dream.
- In May 2020, she appeared on the web series Some Good News. There, she got to meet Oprah Winfrey virtually.
- Annie Leibovitz photographed Gorman for the cover of Vogue magazine. Gorman was the first poet ever to be featured on the cover.
- In September 2021, she became the first "Global Changemaker" for The Estée Lauder Companies. She also works with their program to help girls and women learn to read.
- On September 13, 2021, she helped host the Met Gala. She hosted alongside actor Timothée Chalamet, singer Billie Eilish, and tennis player Naomi Osaka.
- For her fashion style, Gorman gets ideas from famous people. These include Maya Angelou, the Duchess of Sussex, and Michelle Obama.
Amanda Gorman Quotes
- "Seeing the ways that I as a young black woman can inspire people is something I want to continue in politics. I don't want to just speak works; I want to turn them into realities and actions."
- "One of the preparations that I do always whenever I perform is I say a mantra to myself, which is 'I'm the daughter of black writers. We're descended from freedom fighters who broke through chains and changed the world. They call me.' And that is the way in which I prepare myself for the duty that needs to get done."
- "This is the reality of black girls: One day you're called an icon, the next day, a threat."
- "I Am a Threat: a threat to injustice, to inequality, to ignorance. Anyone who speaks the truth and walks with hope is an obvious and fatal danger to the powers that be. A threat and proud."
- "We've learned that quiet isn't always peace."
- "There is no better compass than compassion."
Images for kids
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Gorman reading her poem "An American Lyric" in 2017
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Gorman before reading "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of Joe Biden in 2021
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See also
In Spanish: Amanda Gorman para niños
