Early Life and Education:

Born to sharecropper parents, Walker was the youngest of eight children. Her early life was marked by poverty and racial discrimination in the segregated South. At the age of 8, she was accidentally shot in the right eye with a BB gun while playing with her brothers, resulting in permanent partial blindness. This injury had a profound impact on her, leading her to turn inward and begin writing. Despite the challenges, Walker excelled academically. She was valedictorian of her high school class and earned a scholarship to Spelman College in Atlanta in 1961. During her time at Spelman, she became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1963, she transferred to Sarah Lawrence College in New York, where she completed her studies, graduating in 1965.

Early Career and Activism:

After college, Walker worked briefly for the New York City Department of Welfare before returning to the South. She became involved in voter registration drives in Georgia and Mississippi. In 1967, she married Melvyn Leventhal, a civil rights lawyer, becoming part of one of the first legally married interracial couples in Mississippi.

Literary Career:

Walker’s writing career began with her first book of poetry, “Once,” published in 1968. Her first novel, “The Third Life of Grange Copeland,” was published in 1970. However, it was her third novel, “The Color Purple” (1982), that brought her widespread recognition.

This novel won both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction in 1983.Major Works:

1. “The Color Purple” (1982)
2. “Meridian” (1976)
3. “The Temple of My Familiar” (1989)
4. “Possessing the Secret of Joy” (1992)
5. “In Love & Trouble: Stories of Black Women” (1973)
6. “You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down” (1981)

Themes and Style:

Walker’s work often explores themes of racial and gender inequality, the importance of family and community, and the power of resilience. She is known for her use of black vernacular and her ability to portray complex characters, particularly Black women, with depth and nuance.

Activism and Later Life:

Throughout her career, Walker has been a vocal activist for civil rights, feminism, and environmental causes. She coined the term “womanism” to describe a form of feminism that centers on the experiences of women of color.In recent years, Walker has faced controversy for some of her political views, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and her endorsement of certain conspiracy theorists.

Legacy:

Alice Walker’s contributions to literature and activism have made her a pivotal figure in African American culture. Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages, and “The Color Purple” was adapted into a critically acclaimed film and Broadway musical.Walker continues to write and speak on social issues. Her ability to blend beautiful prose with powerful social commentary has inspired generations of writers and activists, cementing her place as a true Black hero in American literature and culture.