PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — World-renowned Philadelphia poet Sonia Sanchez has been awarded one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the world.
"I’m elated for her. Give her all the flowers in the poetry field," said friend and fellow poet Yolanda Wisher about Sanchez, who has won the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize.
"It’s a beautiful thing for a lot of us, her students, people who have been inspired by her to see."
Wisher, Philadelphia's poet laureate in 2016, said she's happy to witness what she calls greatness. She believes Sanchez's award shows aspiring artists that art as a profession is an option, and through community, it is made possible.
"She is so deserving, and as an elder, it’s great to see her work and life being sustained by these kinds of awards," Wisher added.
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Sanchez, a leading figure of the Black Arts Movement and educator, was awarded the prize as an artist who “has pushed the boundaries of an art form” and “contributed to social change," paving the way for the next generation.
Wisher added that Sanchez’s legacy will not just be her poetry, but her name will be an inspiration in building thriving communities of artists for generations to come.
"She’s opened up her home to create a literary community here locally, but also nationally to connect us with people on the world scale," Wisher said.
"She’s been here for decades as a teacher. She’s taught a lot of us. Her home is a center for the gathering of wordsmiths."
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Wisher said she pays tribute to Sanchez with every stroke of her pen.
"She’s everything to me, in terms of my career as a community-engaged poet, as a poet as a public practice," said Wisher.
"She paved that way. She forges that blue print for me."
The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize prize comes with a $250,000 cash award.
Sanchez, an author of more than 20 books, is recognized for melding musical formats and is known for championing Black culture, civil rights, and feminism.
