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In reply to the discussion: Name a successful Woman of Color [View all]Tanuki
(14,958 posts)196. Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1787)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillis_Wheatley
"Phillis Wheatley, also spelled Phyllis andWheatly (c. 1753 December 5, 1784) was the first published African-American female poet.[1][2] Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.
The publication of her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) brought her fame both in England and the American colonies. Figures such as George Washingtonpraised her work. During Wheatley's visit to England with her master's son, African-American poet Jupiter Hammon praised her work in his own poem. Wheatley wasemancipated after the death of her master, John Wheatley.[3] She married soon afterward. Two of her children died as infants. After her husband was imprisoned for debt in 1784, Wheatley fell into poverty and died of illness, quickly followed by the death of her surviving infant son.
.....
The Wheatleys' 18-year-old daughter, Mary, first tutored Phillis in reading and writing. Their son Nathaniel also helped her. John Wheatley was known as a progressive throughout New England; his family gave Phillis an unprecedented education for an enslaved person, and for a female of any race. By the age of 12, Phillis was reading Greek and Latin classics and difficult passages from the Bible. At the age of 14, she wrote her first poem....
With the 1773 publication of Wheatley's bookPoems on Various Subjects, she "became the most famous African on the face of the earth."[33] Voltaire stated in a letter to a friend that Wheatley had proved that black people could write poetry. John Paul Jones asked a fellow officer to deliver some of his personal writings to "Phillis the African favorite of the Nine (muses) and Apollo."[33] She was honored by many of America's founding fathers, including George Washington, who told her that "the style and manner [of your poetry] exhibit a striking proof of your great poetical Talents."[34]
Critics consider her work fundamental to the genre of African-American literature.[1] She is honored as the first African-American woman to publish a book and the first to make a living from her writing.[35]
"Phillis Wheatley, also spelled Phyllis andWheatly (c. 1753 December 5, 1784) was the first published African-American female poet.[1][2] Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent.
The publication of her Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) brought her fame both in England and the American colonies. Figures such as George Washingtonpraised her work. During Wheatley's visit to England with her master's son, African-American poet Jupiter Hammon praised her work in his own poem. Wheatley wasemancipated after the death of her master, John Wheatley.[3] She married soon afterward. Two of her children died as infants. After her husband was imprisoned for debt in 1784, Wheatley fell into poverty and died of illness, quickly followed by the death of her surviving infant son.
.....
The Wheatleys' 18-year-old daughter, Mary, first tutored Phillis in reading and writing. Their son Nathaniel also helped her. John Wheatley was known as a progressive throughout New England; his family gave Phillis an unprecedented education for an enslaved person, and for a female of any race. By the age of 12, Phillis was reading Greek and Latin classics and difficult passages from the Bible. At the age of 14, she wrote her first poem....
With the 1773 publication of Wheatley's bookPoems on Various Subjects, she "became the most famous African on the face of the earth."[33] Voltaire stated in a letter to a friend that Wheatley had proved that black people could write poetry. John Paul Jones asked a fellow officer to deliver some of his personal writings to "Phillis the African favorite of the Nine (muses) and Apollo."[33] She was honored by many of America's founding fathers, including George Washington, who told her that "the style and manner [of your poetry] exhibit a striking proof of your great poetical Talents."[34]
Critics consider her work fundamental to the genre of African-American literature.[1] She is honored as the first African-American woman to publish a book and the first to make a living from her writing.[35]
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Beyonce earned the money. She can buy whatever the hell she wants. Why does that anger some?
brush
Aug 2017
#68
To start with, Barbara Lee, the proud progressive congresswoman from Berkeley.
Ken Burch
Aug 2017
#59
I so admired her, and mourned her untimely departure from both politics and this earth. nt
Hekate
Aug 2017
#172
I know many personally. But I think you mean "successful, FAMOUS or PROMINENT woman of color."
pnwmom
Aug 2017
#73
Oops. Well Bill Clinton was the first Black President and Hillary is his wife.
Blue_true
Aug 2017
#130
Don't see her listed here--I may have missed it--but I'll add Diahann Carroll.
Different Drummer
Aug 2017
#103
I could name a gazillion jazz and blues singers, opera singers, orchestra section players..
pangaia
Aug 2017
#126
Here's to our wives, and all the successful smart strong beautiful women of color.
yardwork
Aug 2017
#194
Dakota Staton, Minnie Ripperton and her daughter Maya Rudolf are some of my quirky faves.
bettyellen
Aug 2017
#163
Thank you for this! I remember her from 2004 and she was a terrific candidate
Rhiannon12866
Aug 2017
#229