Sonia Sanchez

poet, writer, playwright, activist

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 9, 1934, Sonia Sanchez is best known as a poet and playwright. Starting her legacy in the 1960s, Sanchez gained recognition for her controversial poetry which expresses her feelings on the treatment of African Americans in the United States. She has taught at various universities, recently retiring from Temple University, where she was a Laura H. Carnell Professor of English. Best known for her poetry collections, including *Homegirls & Handgrenades*, Sanchez has received numerous awards over her career and inspired many with her genuine love of teaching and writing. She currently lives and writes in Philadelphia.