Marita Golden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marita Golden
|
|
|---|---|
Golden in 2020
|
|
| Born | April 28, 1950 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | American University (BA) Columbia University (MSc) |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Notable awards | 2002 Authors Guild Award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community, 2001 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award presented by Poets and Writers Woman of the Year Award from Zeta Phi Beta |
Marita Golden, born on April 28, 1950, is a talented American writer. She writes both novels and nonfiction books. She is also a professor and helped start the Hurston/Wright Foundation. This important organization supports African-American writers across the country.
Contents
About Marita Golden
Marita Golden was born in Washington, D.C. in 1950. She went to public schools in the city. She earned a degree in American Studies and English from American University. Later, she received a master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University.
After college, she worked in the publishing world. She also started her career as a freelance writer. She wrote many articles for popular magazines and newspapers. These included Essence Magazine, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
Her first book, Migrations of the Heart, came out in 1983. It was a memoir, which means it was about her own life. The book shared her experiences growing up in the 1960s. It also talked about her political activities. She wrote about her marriage to a Nigerian man and her four years living in Nigeria.
Teaching and Helping Writers
Marita Golden has taught at many colleges and universities. She taught at the University of Lagos in Nigeria. She also taught at places like American University and George Mason University. Currently, she is a Writer in Residence at the University of the District of Columbia. This means she helps students with their writing.
She has held similar positions at other universities too. These include Brandeis University and Howard University.
Marita Golden is also known for helping other writers. She co-founded the African-American Writers Guild in Washington, D.C. She also helped create the Hurston/Wright Foundation. This foundation is named after famous writers Zora Neale Hurston and Richard Wright. The foundation supports Black writers around the world. It also gives out the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award.
Marita Golden's Books
Marita Golden has written many books. She writes both fiction (novels) and nonfiction (true stories).
Novels
- A Woman's Place (1986)
- Long Distance Life (1989)
- And Do Remember Me (1992)
- The Edge of Heaven (1999)
- After (2006)
- The Wide Circumference of Love (2017)
Nonfiction Books
- Migrations of the Heart (1983)
- A Miracle Everyday: Triumph and Transformation in the Lives of Single Mothers (1999)
- Saving Our Sons Raising Black Children in a Turbulent World (1994)
Books She Contributed To
Marita Golden's writings have also appeared in other collections.
- Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent (1992)
- Gumbo: A Celebration of African American Writing (2002)
- It's All Love: Black Writers on Soul Mates Family and Friends (2009)
Awards and Recognition
Marita Golden has received many awards for her work.
- 2018: Nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her fiction.
- 2008: Received the Maryland Author Award.
- 2007: Won an Award for Fiction from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association for her novel After.
- 2002: Honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the Authors Guild.
- 2001: Received the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award.
- She was inducted into the International Literary Hall of Fame of Writers of African Descent.
- She received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Richmond.
- She was named Woman of the Year by Zeta Phi Beta.
- She also received a Distinguished Alumni Award from American University.
