Amanda Gorman
WriteGirl Alum and Inaugural Poet
Even before Amanda Gorman graced the steps of the Capitol on January 20th and read her now-iconic poem “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 presidential inauguration, she always had a passion for writing. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she first joined WriteGirl at age 14 and, with the help of WriteGirl workshops and one-on-one mentoring from several WriteGirl mentors, she gained the confidence she needed to share her words with the world.
"My hands clammed up as I took the stage, my purple flower headband wrapped around my teeny weeny afro. The first time I read my writing at a WriteGirl workshop was also the first time I’d ever read my work in front of a large audience. Ever. And per usual, my fourteen-year-old self was nervous to recite my poetry due to my speech impediment. My words could look elegant on a page but seemed to lose their eloquence in my mouth. Nevertheless, I grabbed the mic, heartened by the unconditional, supportive applause you’ll always find at WriteGirl ... After that I was officially hooked on performing my poetry aloud as much as I was drawn to seeing it in print."
– Amanda Gorman in WriteGirl's 2017 anthology Sound Generation
Thanks to the encouragement and support of her WriteGirl mentor, Amanda was named the first-ever Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate and later, while at Harvard, was named the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate.
“WriteGirl support is so much more than just writing or poetry or lyricism or songwriting,” Amanda said during her WriteGirl Bold Ink Awards acceptance speech this year. “It's about really supporting all of their mentees in whatever they want to achieve.”
Amanda now has written several books, including Call Us What We Carry, which explores the January 6th riot that preceded her inaugural performance, social justice issues, and global changes throughout history—but all with a hopeful eye towards the future.
Amanda said about the collection, “For me, this book is a receptacle, a time capsule both made by and for its era. What is poetry if not a mirror for our present and a message for our future?”
News coverage on Amanda and WriteGirl:
The Hollywood Reporter: Amanda Gorman Was Mentored by a "Positive Community of Women Writers" Before Her Inaugural Moment
Los Angeles Times: Meet Amanda Gorman’s mentors: The teachers who nurtured the inauguration poet
USA Today: Amanda Gorman's debut poetry collection 'Call Us What We Carry' inspires fellow WriteGirls
ABC News: Amanda Gorman's message to inspire the next generation | America Strong
Wall Street Journal: Why Poet Amanda Gorman Wants to Be President
Variety: Amanda Gorman Talks Writing, the Power of Change and Her Own Presidential Aspirations
Scripps TV: You can be part of mission for nonprofit that gave inauguration poet her start
KPCC/LAist: Poet Amanda Gorman's Journey From LA To Inauguration: 'The Way She Sees The World Is Amazing'
CBS 2 LA: 22-Year-Old LA Woman, Amanda Gorman, To Become Youngest Inauguration Day Poet
KTLA 5 Morning News: The WriteGirl roots of 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman at a WriteGirl Poetry Workshop in 2015Amanda: An Inspiration for Other WriteGirl Alums
Now recognized on the world stage, she’s inspiring WriteGirl mentees and alums just like her who share similar writing ambitions and messages of hope.
In a 2021 CNN interview, WriteGirl Executive Director Keren Taylor discussed the impact of Amanda's performance on the WriteGirl community and many other young women beyond Los Angeles.
"When we saw her perform at the inauguration, we could see the same things that we really embody at WriteGirl represented in her," WriteGirl Executive Director Keren Taylor told CNN. "Confidence. Being willing to really be present. What was really exciting to know was that she represents not only every girl that's ever been in WriteGirl, but she also represents every young woman in this country."
On Inauguration Day, WriteGirl members gathered for an online watch party and smiled with anticipation and admiration as Amanda stepped up to the podium.
"This was absolutely wild." WriteGirl mentee Victoria Rosales told NPR station KPCC after the WriteGirl Watch Party. "It's really cool to see young women of color getting up there and blowing everyone away."
Since then, WriteGirl members continue to be inspired by Amanda's words and courage.
"I hope other WriteGirls like myself can see that we came from the same kind of bedrock, the same soil," said WriteGirl alum Kai Adia in an interview with USA Today. "That means we can all sprout and be these beautiful seeds and grow into these amazing flourishing beings as well because we do come from the same foundation as Amanda."
WriteGirl teens, alums and volunteers watch Amanda gather online for an Inauguration watch party in support of Amanda. Amanda Gorman and the Estèe Lauder Companies WRITING CHANGE Initiative
On February 23, 2023, WriteGirl teamed up with Amanda and the Estèe Lauder Companies to host a special creative writing workshop for WriteGirl members: “My Imposter Self Speaks: Battling Imposter Syndrome and Speaking from the Heart.” As both a WriteGirl alum and the Estée Lauder Global Changemaker, the goal of this event was to give the teens the confidence and insights they need to overcome challenges and obstacles they face at school, at home and in their communities. The event included writing activities, a discussion with Amanda Gorman and sharing of writing from participants.
WriteGirl members were moved by the opportunity to be in conversation with Amanda, who shared her struggles with imposter syndrome and inspired participants to trust their unique power.
WriteGirl Partnership with Amanda Gorman and MasterClass
WriteGirl Partnered with MasterClass in 2022 to feature a WriteGirl alum in Amanda Gorman’s MasterClass on Poetry. WriteGirl Alum Arielle Davis had the thrilling opportunity to be Amanda’s student in her course, where Amanda shared her insights and wisdom on writing powerful poetry that can change the world.
In "Amanda Gorman Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry,” Amanda Gorman explains “how to harness the power of poetry to become a more thoughtful, compassionate person,” according to MasterClass. “Amanda Gorman has revitalized poetry as a unifying form of expression and catalyst for social justice,” MasterClass added. “Now she’s teaching you her deeply personal approach to writing. She’ll help you find your poetic purpose, fight through revisions, and prepare for performance. Discover poetry’s transcendent power to open minds and create change.”
During the class, Gorman and Davis even reminisced about their time in WriteGirl and the impact it made on their writing and self-expression.
Learn more about Amanda's MasterClass at https://www.masterclass.com/.
Amanda Gorman Honored at the 2021 WriteGirl Bold Ink Awards
The 2021 WriteGirl Bold Ink Awards celebrated the power of the pen as WriteGirl honored four fearless women writers, including Amanda Gorman; Attica Locke, writer, producer, and author of Heaven, My Home; Tembi Locke, actress and author of From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home; and Gabriela Garcia, poet, journalist and author of the novel Of Women and Salt. WriteGirl was also celebrating its 20th anniversary, making this an extra special event. A little more than 140 participants gathered on Zoom for the evening, hosted by Koco McAboy from Fox 11 News.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell was the first to present the WriteGirl Bold Ink Award to Gorman.
“Thank you for being a role model to people all across generations and around the world — and proving that Black girl magic is just that,” Mitchell said. “Thank you for being an advocate for underrepresented voices and the sheer manifestation that Black girls do indeed rock — always have, always will.”
Lynne Thompson, Los Angeles Poet Laureate and author of Start with a Small Guitar, also spoke about Gorman’s talent.
“Starting at age 14, Amanda began attending WriteGirl… the rest, as they say, is history,” Thompson said. “Her achievements are the reason why we are so glad that she, to use her words, stepped out of the shade, a flame, and unafraid.”
Gorman explained the importance of WriteGirl in her journey.
Amanda Gorman shares how WriteGirl helped her on her path as a young writer.
“From the moment in which I entered the doors of my first WriteGirl workshop, I felt so loved and so supported,” Gorman said in her acceptance speech.
She acknowledged the potential of the organization to help girls and non-binary writers in many ways.
“WriteGirl’s support is so much more than just writing, poetry, or lyricism or songwriting,” Gorman said. “It’s about really supporting all of their mentees in whatever they want to achieve.”
Thank you, Amanda!
We’re grateful to Amanda for her continued support of WriteGirl and for the powerful contributions she has made to the world through her poetry and advocacy efforts.
We can’t wait to see where you go next, Amanda!