Alice Walker (born February 9, 1944) is an American novelist, poet, and activist best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple (1982). Her works focus on race, gender, oppression, and the resilience of Black women.
Early Life & Education
- Born in Eatonton, Georgia, Walker grew up in the racially segregated South.
- She was blinded in one eye at age 8 due to an accident, which influenced her introspective nature and love for writing.
- Attended Spelman College and later transferred to Sarah Lawrence College, graduating in 1965.
Major Works
1. The Color Purple (1982)
- A novel about the struggles of African American women in the early 20th century.
- Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award.
- Adapted into a film (1985) directed by Steven Spielberg and a Broadway musical.
2. Meridian (1976)
- A novel about a young Black woman’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
3. Possessing the Secret of Joy (1992)
- Explores the practice of female genital mutilation through the character Tashi, introduced in The Color Purple.
4. Poetry & Essays
- Revolutionary Petunias and Other Poems (1973)
- In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose (1983) (introduces womanism, a term she coined to describe Black feminism)
Activism & Legacy
- Active in the Civil Rights Movement, working with organizations like the NAACP.
- Advocates for women’s rights, racial justice, and environmental issues.
- Helped revive interest in the work of Zora Neale Hurston, ensuring her literary legacy.
Impact & Recognition
- First Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
- Continues to influence literature and activism worldwide.
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