Introducing Amanda Gorman

Madi McCrary '21

Sports and News Editor

“When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” It was this initial question that made the world fall silent as the youngest Inaugural poet in United States history began her reading.

Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old Harvard graduate, delivered her five-and-a-half-minute poem, “The Hill We Climb” at the Presidential Inauguration on January 20. However, before falling in love with poetry and eventually becoming a household name, she lived with her family in Los Angeles.

Born in LA, Gorman was raised by a single mother, an English teacher, Joan Wicks. She has an older brother named Spencer, along with a twin sister, Gabrielle. Gabrielle also has an innate talent for generating change as a filmmaker and activist.

The First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, had previously seen Gorman reciting poetry at the Library of Congress. When the time came to select a reader for the Inauguration, Dr. Biden instantly recalled Gorman’s impressive performance and chose her. Gorman was specifically chosen, as the First Lady knew immediately that she needed to be the one who spoke at the Inauguration.

At such a young age, Gorman has already achieved so much. She founded the nonprofit known as One Pen One Page. Inspired to advocate for those without access to education, the foundation’s mission is to empower those who use their voices to eliminate inequality. Her mother, a teacher at an inner-city school, was the main inspiration for this organization.

Gorman also wrote her first children’s book, Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem. The novel aims to empower children to use their voice to cause change.

As Gorman delivered her poem so eloquently, it certainly came as a surprise to find out that she previously had a speech impediment. Suffering from chronic ear infections for years, she eventually developed an auditory processing disorder, which led to her speaking difficulties.

“My speech impediment was dropping several letters that I just could not say for several years, most specifically the ‘r’ sound,” Gorman reveals.

Change SIngs: A Children's Anthem by Amanda Gorman

She represents immense perseverance when facing adversity. This is also extremely meaningful as the new President, Joe Biden, also struggled with a speech impediment.

As such a young role model, why stop there?

In her Inauguration poem, “The Hill We Climb,” the line , “A skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream becoming president,” was not hypothetical.

In 2017, Gorman announced that she does intend to run for president as soon as she is eligible in 2036. One thing is for sure; the future is brighter with this incredibly wise young woman in it!

“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it,” stated Gorman.