Alice Walker : A Woman, an Activist, A WriterA LOOK INSIDE THE LIFE OF AN INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN

The Early Years

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What was life like in 1944?

A: In 1944 a small girl was born into a large family, her name was Alice Walker. Despite having to wake to wake up and face constant discrimination Alice was born into a proud family who prided themselves in raising their children right. Alice was taught to read and write even though it was frowned upon by social protocol.

What was it like for African Americans In the 1940's?

The Good Thanks to WWII African Americans

were getting positive recognition for their war efforts.

People live together in a “Separate but Equal” fashion.

The United Negro College Fund was created

New Deal Programs Established

The Bad Jim Crow Laws were still in effect.

Sometimes were not allowed to vote

Oppression

Racism

Were forced to live under cruel and unfair white political power laws

“

”

The most common way people give up their power is by

thinking they don‘t have any

ALICE WALKER

The 1940's was a monumental time for African Americans. Despite still being the victims of cruel intolerant political leaders and harsh living arrangements. This was a time of revolution and growth. Many activists, writers, athletes, political leaders, and artists came to light at this time as a way to lash out against oppression.

A young women in the1950’s

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Living in the south meant that because of the racial division Alice was forced to attend segregated schools. She graduated high school at the top of her class as Valedictorian . She then, on scholarship attended Spellman College.

During College

• COLLEGE LIKE FOR MANY WAS A TIME OF GREAT EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL GROWTH FOR ALICE. SHE TOOK THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND HER KNOWLEDGE AND BETTER HER LIFE. WHILE IN COLLEGE SHE WAS WORKING AS A SOCIAL WORKER, TEACHER, AND ACTIVIST. THIS IS ALSO WHERE SHE FOUND HER VOICE WHILE FIGHTING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.

• DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT ALICE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

• AFTER MEETING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR, ALICE FOUND HER CALLING IN RETURNING TO THE AMERICAN SOUTH AS A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

• SHE HELPED BLACK MEN AND WOMEN REGISTER TO VOTE IN GEORGIA AND MISSISSIPPI

• AFTER COLLEGE ALICE BECAME A SOCIAL WORKER AND A TEACHER.

• SHE WAS PROVIDED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY ABROAD AND CHOSE TO VISIT AFRICA.

The Civil Rights Movement

Quick Fact:

The Civil Rights Movement was a social movement that was meant to help end discrimination and segregation against black Americans and enforce constitutional rights.

A Love of Writing What did Alice Walker Write?

It’s simple, everything. From an extremely young age Alice loved to read and write. A large and important part of both her writings and to her readers is that she has the amazing ability to take her real life experiences and make them into compelling story.

• Alice bought her college education to an end with the publishing of her first book.

• Her first book was published after a very rough time in her life. During her last few years of school Alice went through a very severe depression .

• It is believed that the reason for her depression is a pregnancy and an abortion that she suffered through.

Some of Her Work

Novels• Once

• The Third Life of Grange Copeland

• Meridian

• The Color Purple

• Now is the Time to Open Your Heart

Poetry • Revolutionary Petunias and

Other Poems

• In Search of our Mother Garden: Womanists Prose

• The World Will Follow Joy

Other• In Love and Trouble: Stories

of a Black Woman

• Absolute Trust in the Goddess of the Earth

• Writer for Mrs. Magazine

A Piece of Poetry

Expect Nothing By Alice Walker

Live frugallyOn surprise.become a strangerTo need of pityOr, if compassion be freelyGiven outTake only enoughStop short of urge to pleadThen purge away the need.

Wish for nothing largerThan your own small heartOr greater than a star;Tame wild disappointmentWith caress unmoved and coldMake of it a parkaFor your soul.

Discover the reason whySo tiny human midgetExists at allSo scared unwiseBut expect nothing. Live frugallyOn surprise.

Awards and Accommodations

1. Pulitzer Prize in Fiction

2. National Book Award: Fiction

3. Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts, US & Canada

Where is Alice Walker Now?

Today Alice Walker continues to be an outstanding leader and social speaker. Even now in 2014 she has only just released her latest memoirs “The Chicken Chronicles” in 2012.

A Source of Inspiration to Us All

There are so few good writers that can take the characters that they have created in their work and out do them in person. From activist to poet , from writer to leader, she has truly let her inner voice flourish into a powerful message to all who have faced diversity.

Works cited

• Barat F. Alice Walker. New Internationalist [Serial Online]. September 2012;(455):46 Available from: Points of View Reference Center, Ipswich, MA Accessed February 7,2014

• Bayum , Nina, et, al, eds. American Literature: The Norton Anthology. Fourth Edition.New York : Norton and company ,1995

• Alice Walker Biography. (2011) The Biography Channel News Feed. Retrieved February 2,2014, from www.biography.edu/people/AliceWalker