WOMEN WE LOVE: Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman stole the show and launched into stardom after reciting her original poem, “The Hill We Climb”, at the Presidential Inauguration on January 20. At just 22 years old, Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in United States history and follows in the footsteps of greats like Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, and Elizabeth Alexander. Gorman was invited to perform at President Joe Biden’s inauguration by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden after she saw the poet give a reading at the Library of Congress. It wasn't just her words that got our attention and kept us glued to our TVs but her passionate delivery and flourishing gestures.

“The Hill We Climb” was a message about hope and determined purpose. Amanda wanted to write the poem about a united America and the new chapter our country was entering. But the L.A. native also wanted her poem to highlight the dark chapter of history we are all living through. Gorman took inspiration from past American leaders, like Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who tried to unite American citizens in times of division. It also had a few references to the hit musical, Hamilton.

Poetry has always been a part of Gorman’s life, writing in her journals on the playground. When she was 16, she was named the Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles. Fast forward a few years and the young poet found herself studying at Harvard when she became the first National Youth Poet Laureate.

Much like President Biden, Amanda Gorman has struggled with a speech impediment since her childhood. In Gorman’s situation, her speech impediment makes it hard to pronounce certain letters, like R. She doesn’t view her speech impediment as a weakness; rather it molded her into the performer she is and the storyteller she strives to become.

After wowing the entire country with her words, Amanda’s upcoming books -- The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem For The Country, The Hill We Climb and Other Poems, and Change Sings: A Children's Anthem -- have already sold out on Amazon, months before they are due to be released! She tweeted, “I AM ON THE FLOOR MY BOOKS ARE #1 & #2 ON AMAZON AFTER 1 DAY!” She truly is having a “star is born” moment -- this week Gorman signed with IMG models, one of the world’s biggest modeling agencies. In addition, she is set to perform an original poem at the Super Bowl this year!

Her journey is only beginning, and we can’t wait to see what Amanda Gorman does next!