Amanda S.C. Gorman: Inspiring Change Through Her Words & Fashion
Amanda S.C. Gorman has taken the world by storm through her talented poetry, well-known activism, and iconic fashion. By the age of 23, she had been recognized as an empowered woman who represents her culture beautifully and writes about the topics of feminism, race, oppression, and the African diaspora.
Photo: The New York Times
Gorman was first recognized for her powerful poetry, a blend of activism and her passion for positive change in the world. She was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017 and some of her most well-known pieces of work include “The Hill We Climb”, “Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem”, and “Call Us What We Carry”.
Gorman can further be recognized for her political achievements. In the photo above, she is pictured reciting her poem “The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. During her speech, Gorman announced her plans to run for president in 2036 in hopes of uniting diverse communities in the United States. After the inauguration speech, she gained a great amount of positive attention for her outfit and appearance. In an interview with ABC News, Gorman explained that she wanted her look to represent her culture and pride for being a young Black woman. She wore a bright yellow Prada jacket along with a bright red headband as her statement piece and to show off her beautiful braided hair. Gorman also revealed that her mentor, Oprah Winfrey, had gifted her a Michelangelo ring to wear while she stood at the podium.
Photo: Vogue
Amanda Gorman has made waves in the fashion industry while also building personal connections with influential people, including Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine. Gorman stated that Wintour had personally invited her to the 2021 Met Gala via Zoom while Gorman was modeling for Vogue’s cover. Additionally, Gorman has appeared on the cover of multiple high fashion magazines such as Vogue, Net-A-Porter, Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine.
Overall, Amanda Gorman is on the rise to be one of the most influential young people in the nation through her words, her impactful activism and political stances, and her lasting impression on the fashion industry.
