Amanda Gorman: The Poet Who Healed a Nation

Amanda GormanKate Deciccio, The Amplifier Foundation

On Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021, America’s first Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman delivered her original poem "The Hill We Climb" after the swearing in of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Gorman stood at the podium, small of stature, wearing gold hoop earrings and a birdcage ring, gifted to her from Oprah. Her bun of braided hair with just a hint of beadwork was adorned with a large, red headband, which set off her bright yellow peacoat. As she delivered her poem, her hands made a dance to emphasize certain phrases, bringing her melodic words to life. White House guests looked moved as they sat donning face masks in this pandemic era—a difficult, stark moment in history when hope is needed more than ever. 

Gorman’s words inspired a nation healing from the recent attack on the Capitol just fourteen days prior by white nationalists attempting to overturn the democratic process. The words brought comfort to inauguration guests who literally put their lives at risk to attend, as well as comfort to a nation watching from home with trepidation at the unknown. Gorman had amended her prepared poem after the attack in order to address it head on. She told The New York Times: “We have to confront these realities if we’re going to move forward, so that’s also an important touchstone of the poem. ... There is space for grief and horror and hope and unity, and I also hope that there is a breath for joy in the poem, because I do think we have a lot to celebrate at this inauguration.”

Amanda GormanChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Gorman and her family have been part of the MY HERO family for the past few years. Gorman’s twin sister, Gabrielle, won Student Honoree for her film Dear America at the 2015 MY HERO International Film Festival, held at the twins’ school, New Roads. They were raised by a single mother, Joan Wicks, who teaches middle school in Watts. Joan fostered creativity in her home by keeping the TV off and encouraging curiosity. Gabrielle went on to attend UCLA for cinematography and film and video production, while Amanda attended Harvard University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Gorman was slated to recite a poem at her Harvard graduation last spring, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Then two months ago, Gorman was invited to read at the inauguration by First Lady Jill Biden, who had seen her recite a poem at the Library of Congress.

Gorman overcame personal odds to be such a lyrical, powerful poet. Growing up, she wanted to use artistic expression as a way to help overcome her speech impediment. She told The New York Times that her pursuit of poetry as an outlet partly stemmed from socioeconomic necessity, as dance classes and paint were too expensive. She said, “To write I just needed a pen and a page.” Language was the perfect medium. In a recent interview, Gorman told CNN news correspondent Anderson Cooper that she used the song "Aaron Burr, Sir" from the musical Hamilton to practice saying her “R’s.” Persistence paid off, and Gorman delivered a flawless message from the podium, later receiving praise from Hamilton writer and star Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The Hill We Climb 

Gorman gained national recognition when she recited her original poem, "The Hill We Climb," at President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021, making her the youngest poet to perform at a U.S. presidential inauguration.

MY HERO Co-founder and Director Jeanne Meyers says: "It is so hopeful that Amanda has captured the hearts and minds of the nation with her wise message of truth, reason and the responsibility we each have to be brave and to be the light.”

The following section was added by The MY HERO Project in 2025

In 2021, Amanda Gorman released Call Us What We Carry, a collection of poetry, along with an accompanying audiobook. Upon its release, the book soon rose to the top of the New York Times Best Seller list.[1] In 2022, she received a Best Poetry Award at the Goodreads Choice Awards for the book. The following year, Gorman was nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards for the Call Us What We Carry audiobook.

In 2023, Gorman authored another children’s book, Something, Someday, in which a child is troubled by piles of rubbish surrounding their home. Despite being told by numerous adults that it will be impossible to clean, they choose to undertake the task. More and more of the community join in and it’s not long before the garbage is gone, and the garden is transformed.[2]

Gabrielle Gorman, Amanda’s sister, hosted the 20^th MY HERO Film Festival Awards Ceremony on November 16th, 2024 in Santa Monica at the Ann & Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School.

WATCH: Amanda Gorman reads inauguration poem, 'The Hill We Climb'

In 2026, Amanda Gorman Pays Tribute to Victims in Minneapolis

Following the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis within weeks of each other in January, Gorman paid tribute in the best way she can: with poetry. Hearing that Good was a poet in her own right, Gorman felt she owed it to her to write something in her honor. “Even if what happened was horrendous,” said Gorman in an interview with NPR, “I felt she was a shining example of what language can do.”[3] 

Read more here: myhero.com/amanda-gorman-renee-good-alex-pretti

Find the poems on Amanda's Instagram: www.instagram.com/amandascgorman