9 September, 1934, marks the birthday of poet, playwright, activist and Professor, Sonia Sanchez.
In 1969, Sanchez published her first book of poetry for adults, Homecoming. She followed that up with 1970’s We a BaddDDD People, which especially focused on African American vernacular as a poetic medium. In 1971, she published her first work for children, It’s A New Day: Poems for Young Brothas and Sistuhs.
An important and influential scholar and teacher, Sanchez taught at Manhattan Community College, Amherst College, and Temple University, where she was the first Presidential Fellow. Her many honors and awards include the PEN Writing Award, the American Book Award for Poetry, the National Academy of Arts and Letters Award, the National Education Association Award, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Pew Arts Foundation.
Members of the University Staff can access campus libraries to find books of poetry, and books on every other subject, by using their WISCard.