Audre Lorde (1934-1992) was a Caribbean-American poet, essayist, and activist who is best known for her writings on race, gender, sexuality, and social justice. She was an influential figure in the second-wave feminist movement and the LGBT rights movement and her work continues to inspire and influence activists and artists today.

Lorde was born in New York City to parents from Grenada and was raised in a working-class family. She began writing poetry as a child and went on to study at Hunter College and Columbia University. She published her first collection of poetry, “The First Cities,” in 1968 and went on to publish several more collections throughout her career.

Lorde’s work is characterized by its powerful, personal voice and its focus on the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and power. She wrote about her experiences as a lesbian, a black woman, and a cancer survivor and used her writing to explore the ways in which oppression and marginalization impact individuals and communities.

Lorde was also a passionate activist and advocate for social justice. She was an early supporter of the gay rights movement and was involved in the feminist and civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. She was a prolific public speaker and gave numerous lectures and readings throughout her career, using her platform to raise awareness about issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social justice.

Audre Lorde’s legacy continues to be celebrated and her work remains relevant and influential today. She is remembered as a pioneering writer and activist who used her powerful voice to challenge oppression and inspire change.