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Alice Walker

American author and activist · United States · On the map · Writers · Born 1944 · age 82

Alice Malsenior Tallulah-Kate Walker is an American novelist, short story writer, poet, and social activist. In 1982, she became the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, which she was awarded for her novel The Color Purple.

Alice Walker is read about 979 times a day, in 78 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 10 November 2026

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A life in dates

2016Carl Sandburg Literary AwardAward2013“I think unless the people are given information about what is happening to them, they will die in ignorance. And i think that's the big sin.”In their words28 May 2013Poet, Author Alice Walker Meets the Inner Journey with Global Activism in "The Cushion in the Road"

2010LennonOno Grant for PeaceAward2006California Hall of FameAward2004“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.”In their wordsAs quoted in The Best Liberal Quotes Ever : Why the Left is Right (2004) by William P. Martin, p. 173.

1997Humanist of the YearAward1996“The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for whites or women for men.”In their wordsForeword to The Dreaded Comparison: Animal Slavery and Human Slavery (1996) by Marjorie Spiegel, p. 14.

1995Honorary Degree from Spelman CollegeAward1992“He has told me he likes men as well as he likes women, which seems only natural, he says, since he is the offspring of two sexes as well as two races.”In their wordsPossessing the Secret of Joy (1992).

1986O. Henry AwardAward1984Lillian Smith Book AwardAward1983National Book AwardAwardPulitzer Prize for FictionAward1982“Us sing and dance, make faces and give flower bouquets, trying to be loved. You ever notice that trees do everything to get attention we do, except walk?”In their wordsThe Color Purple (1982)

“I don’t know nothing, I think. And glad of it.”In their wordsThe Color Purple (1982)

Candace AwardAward1977Guggenheim FellowshipAward1973Lillian Smith Book AwardAward1944Born9 February 1944

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Also in Deutsch

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In their own words 4

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Alice Walker
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4 statements, newest first

  1. I want a grown-up attitude to Cuba, for instance, a country and people I love.

    1 April 2008 · The Guardian, Own words

  2. I felt in Georgia and on the east coast generally very squeezed. People have so many hang-ups about how other people live their lives.

    25 February 2001 · On living in California, as quoted in The Guardian, Own words

  3. They calls me yellow like yellow be my name. They calls me yellow like yellow be my name. But if yellow is a name Why aint black the same.

    1982 · The Color Purple (1982), Own words

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Awards

Carl Sandburg Literary Award2016
LennonOno Grant for Peace2010
California Hall of Fame2006
Humanist of the Year1997
Honorary Degree from Spelman College1995
O. Henry Award1986
Lillian Smith Book Award1984
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction1983
National Book Award1983
Candace Award1982
Guggenheim Fellowship1977
Lillian Smith Book Award1973

About this person

Over the span of her career, Walker has published seventeen novels and short story collections, twelve non-fiction works, and collections of essays and poetry.

Country
United States
Category
Writers
Type
Writer / Author
Status
Living
Dates
Born 1944 · age 82

Where to find them

IMDbWebsitealicewalkersgarden.com

The same award as Alice

Philip RothBoth received Pulitzer Prize for FictionNorman MailerBoth received Pulitzer Prize for FictionHarper LeeBoth received Pulitzer Prize for FictionJohn UpdikeBoth received Pulitzer Prize for FictionSaul BellowBoth received Pulitzer Prize for FictionJhumpa LahiriBoth received Pulitzer Prize for Fiction