Amanda Gorman: Finding the Light Through Words

Amanda Gorman is an American poet, activist, and model, who became globally recognized as the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. She was born in Los Angeles and graduated from Harvard University in 2020 with a degree in sociology. In kindergarten, she was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder, and she also had to overcome a speech impediment. Despite these challenges, she persevered. Her mom states she was a bit of an “overachiever” from a young age and “was always advanced in her thought.” Gorman learned to read later than other kids, but once she developed these skills, an intense passion for reading and writing bloomed. 

Gorman was introduced to poetry and metaphor in third grade. She was entranced by the idea of poetry being able to express various ideas since communication had been hard for her while she was growing up. Gorman initially refused to get help or use accommodations on tests, but eventually grew to appreciate support. Now, she specifically communicates that children with learning differences can still pursue paths in writing and poetry, even if it may be hard initially.

In high school, she was encouraged to apply for the new Youth Poet Laureate initiative, which was based in Los Angeles. She submitted poems about social injustice, and in 2014, Gorman was named the Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate. 

 Her famous inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” rose to fame in 2021 after she recited it at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden. In this poem, she frames bravery as a collective responsibility that everyone carries.

Amanda Gorman’s story illustrates her active hope and perseverance to face the unknown. The famous quote “there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it” depicts the kind of courage she lived by. She overcame adversity, navigating a speech impediment as a child, turning her voice into a platform for social change and for young writers to believe in themselves and their work.