Alice Walker
9 February 1944
Alice Walker is an American author, poet, and activist. She was born in Putnam County, Georgia, and grew up in a poor, rural community. Despite facing racial discrimination and poverty, she was able to attend Spelman College and later Sarah Lawrence College on scholarships. Her writing career began in the 1960s with her first published poem. She published her first novel, "The Third Life of Grange Copeland," in 1970, and later the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Color Purple" in 1982. She has published several novels, collections of short stories, essays, and poetry since. In addition to her writing, Walker is also a human rights activist, particularly for civil rights, women's rights, and LGBTQ rights. She has traveled extensively, promoting her beliefs and her works, and has been the recipient of many awards, including the National Book Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.