Helene Johnson facts for kids

Helene Johnson (born July 7, 1906 – died July 7, 1995) was an important African-American poet. She lived during a special time called the Harlem Renaissance. This was a period when Black artists, writers, and musicians created amazing works. Helene was also the cousin of another famous writer, Dorothy West.

Helene Johnson's Writing Journey

Helene Johnson's career as a writer began with a big win. She won first prize in a short story contest. This competition was held by the Boston Chronicle newspaper. She also earned an honorable mention in a poetry contest. This poetry contest was organized by Opportunity magazine.

Opportunity was a very important journal. It was published by the National Urban League. This magazine helped show off the talents of many African-American artists.

Her Most Famous Poems

Helene Johnson became most popular in 1927. Her poem called "Bottled" was published then. It appeared in the May issue of Vanity Fair magazine. Later, in 1935, her last published poems came out. They were featured in a magazine called Challenge: A Literary Quarterly.

Even after her poems were no longer published, she kept writing. Helene wrote a new poem almost every day for the rest of her life.

About Helene Johnson's Life

Helene Johnson's real first name was Helen. She spent her early childhood years in Boston. She lived in her grandfather's house there. Later, she spent her growing-up years in Brookline, Massachusetts.

In the 1920s, Helene and her cousin Dorothy West moved to Harlem. Harlem is a neighborhood in New York City. There, they became good friends with other artists. One of their friends was the famous writer Zora Neale Hurston. Helene also went to Columbia University. However, she did not finish her degree there.

In 1933, Helene Johnson married William Warner Hubbell III. They had one child together, a daughter named Abigail. Helene Johnson passed away in Manhattan when she was 88 years old.