Sarah E. Wright facts for kids

Sarah Elizabeth Wright (born December 9, 1928 – died September 13, 2009) was an American writer and someone who worked to make society better. Her book, This Child's Gonna Live, came out in 1969. Many people who review books loved it. It was one of the first books to show how challenges like race, money, and being a woman affected people's lives. The New York Times said it was an "outstanding book of 1969" and called it a "small masterpiece."

Sarah Wright's Life Story

Sarah Elizabeth Wright was born in Wetipquin, Maryland. She started writing poems when she was only eight years old. She went to Salisbury Colored High School. In 1945, she began studying at Howard University.

Early Education and Mentors

At Howard University, Sarah Wright learned a lot from her teachers, Sterling Allen Brown and Owen Dodson. She also met the famous poet Langston Hughes there for the first time. They became good friends for the rest of their lives.

Moving to Philadelphia and New York

In 1949, Sarah Wright had to leave Howard University because she didn't have enough money. She moved to Philadelphia. There, she kept writing and worked for a small company that printed and published books. She also helped start the Philadelphia Writers' Workshop, a group for writers.

In 1957, she moved to New York City. She joined the Harlem Writers Guild, which was a group of African-American writers. She even became a vice-president of this group.

Activism and the Black Arts Movement

Sarah Wright was involved in many important causes. She supported freedom movements for people in Africa and African Americans. She also worked against wars. Her famous book, This Child's Gonna Live, was published in 1969. Because of her work and her book, she is considered part of the Black Arts Movement. This was a time when African-American artists created powerful works to express their culture and fight for their rights.

Later Life and Passing

Sarah Wright passed away in Manhattan, New York, when she was 80 years old. She died from problems related to cancer.

Sarah Wright's Books and Writings

This Child's Gonna Live (Delacorte Press, 1969) was the only novel Sarah Wright ever published. As mentioned, The New York Times called it an outstanding book of 1969.

About This Child's Gonna Live

The story in This Child's Gonna Live is told by a young woman named Mariah Upshur. She lives in a small fishing village in Maryland. The book shows how hard it was for her to survive. She faced many challenges like racism (unfair treatment because of her race), poverty (not having enough money), and disease. A new version of the book was published by The Feminist Press in 1986, and it has been available ever since.

Other Works and Recognition

Sarah Wright spent many years trying to write a second novel, but it was never finished. She also wrote essays that looked closely at different topics. She published a book of poems called Give Me a Child (Kraft Publishing, 1955), which she wrote with Lucy Smith.

She also wrote a non-fiction book for young people. It was called A. Philip Randolph: Integration in the Workplace (Silver Burdett, 1990). This book was about a famous leader who worked for equal rights. Sarah Wright's novel is shown in an exhibit about the Eastern Shore of Maryland at the African-American Museum of History and Culture.