History of Amanda Gorman in Timeline
Amanda S. C. Gorman is an American poet and activist known for her work on issues such as oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, particularly within the African diaspora. She became the first National Youth Poet Laureate and published her poetry book 'The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough' in 2015. Gorman gained international fame in 2021 after delivering her poem 'The Hill We Climb' at President Joe Biden's inauguration. Following this, her books became best-sellers, and she secured a professional management contract.
March 7, 1998: Birth of Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman was born on March 7, 1998.
2013: Inspiration from Malala Yousafzai
In 2013, Amanda Gorman's aspiration to become a youth delegate for the United Nations was ignited after she was deeply moved by a compelling speech delivered by Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani Nobel Prize laureate.
2014: Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate and Novel Writing
In 2014, Amanda Gorman achieved the distinction of being named the first youth poet laureate of Los Angeles. It was also reported that she was working on editing the first draft of a novel.
2014: Gorman Expresses Aspiration to Be Human Rights Advocate
In 2014, Gorman's early commitment to social justice was evident in her stated aspiration to become a human rights advocate.
2015: Publication of "The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough"
In 2015, Amanda Gorman achieved a significant milestone by publishing her poetry book, "The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough."
2015: Publication of "The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough"
In 2015, Amanda Gorman published her poetry book titled "The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough".
2016: Founding of One Pen One Page
In 2016, Amanda Gorman founded One Pen One Page, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through writing and leadership programs.
April 2017: Named First National Youth Poet Laureate
Amanda Gorman was named the first National Youth Poet Laureate in April 2017, a testament to her exceptional talent and contributions to the world of poetry.
September 2017: Opening the Literary Season for the Library of Congress
In September 2017, Amanda Gorman made history as the first youth poet to open the literary season for the Library of Congress. She also shared her poetry on MTV. For this occasion, she wrote and performed "In This Place: An American Lyric," a piece commemorating Tracy K. Smith's inauguration as the United States Poet Laureate.
2017: XQ Institute's Book of the Month and Other Projects
In 2017, Gorman was featured as the first author in XQ Institute's Book of the Month, a program that promotes inspiring books by Gen Z authors. She also wrote a tribute for black athletes for Nike and secured a book deal with Viking Children's Books to write two children's picture books.
2017: Aspiration to Run for President
In 2017, Gorman shared her aspiration to run for president in 2036.
2018: Glamour Magazine's College Women of the Year
In 2018, Amanda Gorman was recognized as one of Glamour magazine's "College Women of the Year." She expressed her desire to use her platform to inspire change and translate words into tangible actions.
2018: Gorman's Perspective on Speech Impediment
In 2018, Elida Kocharian from The Harvard Crimson highlighted how Amanda Gorman perceives her speech impediment not as a hindrance, but as a unique strength and gift. Gorman shared with The Harvard Gazette her belief that overcoming these obstacles in auditory and vocal skills enhanced her reading and writing abilities.
2018: "In This Place (An American Lyric)" Displayed at the Morgan Library and Museum
In 2018, the Morgan Library and Museum acquired Amanda Gorman's poem "In This Place (An American Lyric)" and displayed it alongside works by renowned poet Elizabeth Bishop.
2019: Study Abroad in Madrid
In 2019, Amanda Gorman had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, with support from IES Abroad.
2019: The Root Magazine's Young Futurists List and Support for Abortion Rights
In 2019, Amanda Gorman was featured in The Root magazine's "Young Futurists" list, recognizing her work in social justice and activism. She also expressed her support for abortion rights and Roe v. Wade through a pro-choice poem in a NowThis News video.
2019: Gorman's Literary Influences and Views on Fashion
In 2019, Gorman shared that her early writing was influenced by "Anne of Green Gables" but evolved as she discovered authors like Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, and Phillis Wheatley. She also articulated her perspective on fashion as an extension of self-expression, citing influences like Maya Angelou and Michelle Obama.
May 2020: Appearance on "Some Good News" and Presentation of "Earthrise"
In May 2020, Amanda Gorman appeared on John Krasinski's web series "Some Good News," where she had a virtual meeting with Oprah Winfrey. She also delivered a virtual commencement speech for students unable to attend their ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she presented her poem "Earthrise," which focuses on the climate crisis.
2020: Marieke Lucas Rijneveld Wins International Booker Prize
Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, who was later involved in a controversy surrounding the translation of Gorman's poem, won the International Booker Prize.
2020: Graduation from Harvard College
Amanda Gorman graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 2020, earning a degree in sociology. She was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
January 6, 2021: Poem Revision in Response to Capitol Storming
Following the events of the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, Amanda Gorman made revisions to her poem "The Hill We Climb" to address this significant national event.
January 20, 2021: Reading at President Joe Biden's Inauguration
On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman made history as the youngest poet to ever read at a presidential inauguration when she recited her poem "The Hill We Climb" at President Joe Biden's inauguration. It was Jill Biden who recommended her for this honor.
February 7, 2021: Gorman Recites Poem at Super Bowl LV
On February 7, 2021, Gorman made history as the first poet to perform at the Super Bowl. Her poem, "Chorus of the Captains," honored essential workers and emphasized the importance of human connection.
February 2021: Gorman Featured on Time Magazine Cover
Gorman's rising influence and impact were recognized in February 2021 when she was featured on the cover of Time magazine, a testament to her growing platform and cultural significance.
February 2021: Controversy over Gorman's Poem Translation
In February 2021, a debate arose when Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, the Dutch translator of Gorman's poem, stepped down after criticism regarding her race. Rijneveld's decision highlighted the ethical considerations of translation and resonated with Gorman's own experiences with racial barriers.
March 2021: Publication of "The Hill We Climb" Book Version
March 2021 saw the publication of the book version of Amanda Gorman's acclaimed poem "The Hill We Climb." This edition included a foreword by Oprah Winfrey and debuted at No. 1 on multiple bestseller lists, including The New York Times adult fiction and USA Today.
March 2021: Spanish Publisher Seeks New Translator for Gorman's Poem
In March 2021, Spanish publisher Univers replaced Victor Obiols as the translator for Gorman's poem, seeking a translator with a different profile: a young, black, and activist woman. This decision sparked further discussion about representation and diversity in translation.
March 2021: Gorman Speaks Out About Racial Profiling Incident
In March 2021, Gorman shared an experience of racial profiling, highlighting the ongoing reality of racism despite her accomplishments. She used the incident to reaffirm her commitment to fighting injustice and inequality.
September 13, 2021: Gorman Co-Hosts the Met Gala
Gorman took on a prominent role in the fashion world when she co-hosted the Met Gala on September 13, 2021, further expanding her influence and using her platform to engage with diverse audiences.
September 2021: Release of "The Hill We Climb" and "Change Sings"
In September 2021, Amanda Gorman released two books: "The Hill We Climb," a poetry collection, and "Change Sings: A Children's Anthem," a project for young readers. Both books quickly rose to the top of Amazon's bestseller list.
September 2021: Gorman Becomes Estée Lauder's First Global Changemaker
In September 2021, Gorman was named Estée Lauder's first "Global Changemaker," partnering with the brand to promote literacy for girls and women and using her voice to advocate for social change.
2021: Speech Therapy and Music
In 2021, Amanda Gorman revealed on CBS This Morning that she used songs, particularly "Aaron Burr, Sir" from Hamilton, as a form of speech therapy during her childhood. The song's complexity helped her improve her pronunciation of the letter 'R'.
2021: Hillary Clinton's Support for Gorman's Presidential Aspiration
Following her powerful reading of "The Hill We Climb" at President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021, Hillary Clinton expressed support for Gorman's aspiration to run for president in 2036 via Twitter.
2021: Rise to Fame and "The Hill We Climb"
Amanda Gorman gained international recognition in 2021 after she wrote and recited her powerful poem "The Hill We Climb" at President Joe Biden's inauguration. This event marked a significant turning point in her career, leading to widespread acclaim and the achievement of bestseller status for two of her books.
May 2022: Gorman Responds to Uvalde Shooting with Poem
In May 2022, in response to the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Gorman published a poem advocating for gun safety, using her art to process and respond to current events.
June 24, 2022: Gorman Publishes Poem Supporting Abortion Rights
On June 24, 2022, following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Gorman shared a poem on Twitter expressing her support for abortion rights, demonstrating her commitment to using her platform for social commentary.
October 2023: Gorman Signs Open Letter for Ceasefire in Israel-Hamas War
In October 2023, Gorman added her voice to calls for peace by signing an open letter from artists urging a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, reflecting her commitment to global issues.
2023: Gorman's Poem Banned in Florida School
Gorman's work faced censorship when her poem "The Hill We Climb" was restricted at a Florida school. Gorman responded by defending the importance of free speech and access to literature for children.
2036: Potential Presidential Run
Amanda Gorman has expressed her hope to run for president in 2036.