An Exquisite Life

The Contribution of Gwendolyn Brooks

Aug 03, 2023

Born 106 years ago, Gwendolyn Brooks was one of the most influential and widely read 20th century poets. With over 20 published books, she gained immense respect during her lifetime. For 32 years, the poet laureate of Illinois, she was the FIRST Black poet to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the FIRST Black woman named by the Library of Congress’ Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks was born on June 7, 1917, in Topeka, Kansas. When she was 5 weeks old, her family moved to Chicago as part of the Great Migration. Growing up in a family of readers, Brooks expressed her intention to become a poet at an early age. Her mother supported her and helped her submit poems to magazines and newspapers.

In her teenage years, Brooks immersed herself in poetry and drew inspiration from African American poets like Langston Hughes. She joined the NAACP Youth Council and became involved in anti-lynching protests. Despite financial constraints, she attended Woodrow Wilson Junior College and honed her writing skills.

Brooks gained recognition for her poetry through contributions to the Chicago Defender and participation in a poetry workshop for Black writers. Her debut collection, "A Street in Bronzeville" (1945), received critical acclaim. She faced challenges in her personal life, including financial struggles and marital issues, but continued to write and publish.

In 1950, Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for her collection "Annie Allen." She became a prominent figure in the literary world, receiving numerous awards and honors throughout her career. Brooks was dedicated to her community and conducted poetry readings in schools, prisons, and hospitals.

She also held teaching positions at various universities, including Columbia College and the University of Wisconsin. Despite facing health issues, she continued to travel and make global connections. Gwendolyn Brooks passed away in 2000, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most distinguished African American poets of the twentieth century.

Throughout her life, Brooks garnered praise and recognition. In 1976, she was the first Black American to be named a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters; lifetime achievement award from NEA in 1989 & from the National Book Foundation in 1994. That same year, she was chosen Jefferson Lecturer by the NEH. In 1995 she received the National Medal of the Arts. And in her honor, Chicago State University established a chair in Black Literature & Creative Writing.

Brooks's illustrious achievements led to numerous schools being named in her honor. In 1970, Western Illinois University established the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center as a tribute to her. Additionally, the centenary of her birth in 2017 was commemorated at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where her papers are preserved. Her hometown of Chicago celebrates an annual "Brooks Day" in recognition of her enduring legacy.

Gwendolyn Brooks's remarkable body of work positioned her as an influential figure in American literature. She skillfully intertwined her unwavering commitment to racial identity and equality with profound poetic techniques. Critic George E. Kent noted that she effectively bridged the gap between the academic poets of the 1940s and the emerging young Black militant writers of the 1960s, further affirming her unique contributions to the literary landscape.