“I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.”
- Name: Zora Neale Hurston
- Born: January 7, 1891
- Died: January 28, 1960 (Age 69)
- From: Eatonville, Florida, U.S.
- Occupation: Author
- Works: Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), Tell My Horse (1938), Dust Tracks on a Road (1942), Spunk: The Selected Stories (1985), Zora Neale Hurston
- Awards: Her short story “Spunk” and play Color Struck both won 2nd place in the literary content held by Opportunity Magazine, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Nonfiction (1943)
Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most significant female writers of the early 20th century. Throughout her career spanning 30 years, she published an autobiography, two folklore books, four novels, and several articles, plays, and short stories. During her childhood, Hurston found herself surrounded by a community of proud, self-sufficient black individuals who ultimately inspired her written work, which depicted the African American experience and made her a fixture in the Harlem Renaissance. One of her most famous works includes her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, which immerses readers into the everyday vernacular of the black community as well as their creativity, pride, and freedom. Hurston’s works roused discomfort among some in the black community, but she was never apologetic about her work. She took pride and celebrated black excellence and refused to portray blacks as victims in her novels. Hurston left a lasting impression on writers, including Alice Walker and Maya Angelou, who both were inspired by Hurston’s confidence to speak up without shame.
Handout
To download the Handout:
- Click on the image
- Right-click and select Save Image As…
- Write a description on the line and decorate.
- Cut out and use for a selfie to share on our social media page.
- Download a card and envelope template and write about an idea this leader inspires.
- Check out more resources and ways to celebrate MLK can be found on these links as well as our official Day of Service opportunity to volunteer.
This ASI Special event is an ongoing volunteer-led project made by people like you, using multiple educational sources regularly being revised and updated. We would love your assistance if you or your group would like to get involved, learn more here.