Gwendolyn Brooks Research Paper

527 Words2 Pages

Gwendolyn Brooks is one of the most respected and established poets of all time. Gwendolyn Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas, on June 7, 1917. Shortly after her birth her family moved to Chicago, Illinois where she was raised. Gwendolyn Brooks’ parents were very supportive of their daughter’s passion for reading and writing. Gwendolyn Brooks had a true gift from God and it was writing. Gwendolyn Brooks’ mother discovered her talent for writing when she was seven. When she was thirteen she published her poem, “Eventide” which appeared in American Childhood. (Bio.com)
Gwendolyn Brooks had several restrictions growing up that included playing with her peers in their neighborhood and having a usual social life. These restrictions created time for her to write short stories and poetry in her spare time. Brooks attended Hyde Park High School which …show more content…

(Poets.org)
In 1949 Annie Allen (a series of poems related to a black girl's growing up in Chicago) was published and received the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1950. Gwendolyn Brooks would become the first African American women to receive the award in poetry. Quickly did she know that her book would create several additional opportunities for her life. President John Kennedy invited her to read the book at a Library of Congress poetry festival in 1962. (Poemhunter.com)
Gwendolyn Brooks would use her talents and writing experience to help others most specifically college students. In the early 1960s, Brooks took advantage of a teaching opportunity where she became an instructor of creative writing. Brooks taught at several institutions which included Chicago State University, Columbia University and the University of Wisconsin. Brooks continued to write poems and another accolade would come after she published “In The Mecca” which she would later be nominated for a National Book Award in poetry.

Open Document