Alice Malsenior Walker

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Born on February 9, 1944 in Eatonton, Georgia, Alice Malsenior Walker was the eighth and youngest child of poor sharecroppers. Her father's great-great-great grandmother, Mary Poole was a slave, forced to walk from Virginia to Georgia with a baby in each arm. Walker is deeply proud of her cultural heritage. In addition to her literary talents Walker was involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960’s, walking door-to-door promoting voter's registration among the rural poor. Walker was present to see Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. “In August 1963 Alice traveled to Washington D.C. to take part in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Perched in a tree limb to try to get a view, Alice couldn't see much of the main podium, but was able to hear Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" address.” (Alice Walker Biography) Walker is a vegetarian involved in many other issues, including nuclear proliferation, and the environment.

Her insight to African American culture comes from her travel and experiences in both America and Africa. Walker is an activist regarding oppression and power, championing victims of racism and sexism. After her precedent setting, and controversial thirteen-year marriage to a white, Jewish, civil rights lawyer, Alice fell in love with Robert Allen, editor of "Black Scholar." “She is currently living in Mendocino, California and is exploring her bi-sexuality.”Alice Walker’s first novel, "The Third Life of Grange Copeland" was published the week her daughter was born. Walker received praise for this work, but also criticism for dealing too harshly with the male characters in the book. Walker’s best-known novel, “The Color Purple" won the Pulitzer Prize in 1982, and was made into a movie. Walker was the first black author honored by a Pulitzer. In Celie’s letters to God, she tells...