DWC 100 Women: Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb

Amanda Gorman—a name that resonates like a whisper of hope, carried through turbulent winds of change. She is a poet whose voice has become synonymous with courage, empathy, and transformation. Gorman’s work doesn’t just rhyme or echo; it reverberates. It pushes boundaries and holds up a mirror to society, reflecting the painful truths of oppression, marginalisation, and inequality. Yet, within her verses, she also captures the promise of what can be, weaving narratives of justice and unity.

Amanda Gorman’s activism is not confined to marches or political campaigns. It’s within the cadence of her poetry and the spaces between each word she chooses. Born in Los Angeles in 1998, Gorman was shaped by the experiences of growing up in a country grappling with its identity. As a Black woman and a writer, she recognised early on that her voice could amplify the stories and experiences that many tried to silence or erase. Her poetry is her activism, and her activism is rooted in the belief that words hold power—the power to heal, to change, and to inspire.

From her early works, Gorman’s poetry has focused on issues like racial injustice, feminism, and the multifaceted nature of oppression. She has used her craft to address systemic inequalities, whether through speaking at the Library of Congress or performing her now-iconic poem, The Hill We Climb, at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. In doing so, she made history as the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, standing on a platform few have access to and making the world listen. But this moment of brilliance is not where her journey began, nor is it where it ends.

Gorman’s activism has been shaped by the challenges she has faced, some deeply personal. Born with an auditory processing disorder and a speech impediment, speaking—let alone performing—was never easy. Yet, these obstacles became stepping stones. Instead of stifling her voice, they refined it. The way she emphasises each syllable and holds onto the sound of each word, allowing it to breathe, is part of what makes her delivery so powerful.

Amanda Gorman’s activism isn’t just in the poems she writes; it’s in the organisations she builds and the community work she pursues. As the founder of the nonprofit organisation One Pen One Page, Gorman creates platforms for underserved youth to find and amplify their voices. 

She’s spoken openly about the need for literacy and education reform, advocating for equitable access to books and resources for all children. For Gorman, activism means creating space for others, particularly young women of colour, to stand beside her and speak with conviction.

Her work has not been without pushback or scrutiny. Gorman has faced backlash and criticism. Yet, she has not wavered. When her poetry book The Hill We Climb was restricted in a Miami-Dade County school, Amanda responded not with anger but with a renewed commitment to ensuring her words reach those who need them most. She reminded the world that censorship cannot quell the truth or diminish the light that poetry brings into the dark corners of society.

Amanda Gorman’s poetry is a reminder that art and activism are not separate entities; they are interwoven. Her words remind us of our shared humanity while calling us to action. She challenges us to rise above complacency, confront the inequalities embedded in our systems, and imagine a future where every voice is heard, valued, and celebrated.

Through her poetry, Amanda Gorman has shown us that activism isn’t always loud. It doesn’t always shout or carry signs. Sometimes, activism is found in a line of verse, in a whispered promise of change, in the quiet resolve of someone who refuses to be silenced.