“Carolyn Rodgers, a leading poet of the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s whose work wove strands of feminism, black power, spirituality and writerly self-consciousness into a sometimes raging, sometimes ruminative search for identity, died on April 2 in Chicago. She was 69.” -Bruce Weber, New York Times

“As a young woman on the South Side, Ms. Rodgers studied with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks and at workshops put together the Organization of Black American Culture, a noted literary collective.

She quickly became recognized for poetry that delved into the problems and challenges facing African-American women while ultimately celebrating women’s ability to overcome.

Her poetry was collected in volumes including “Paper Soul,” “Songs of a Black Bird” and “How I got ovah.”

“Carolyn Rodgers was one of the finest poets to come out of the Black Arts Movement,” said Haki Madhubuti, a professor, publisher and poet. He was referring to the artistic corollary to the “Black Power” movement of the 1960s that was led by writers and poets, including Amiri Baraka, and put forth a fresh voice for newly militant African-Americans.” – Trevor Jenson, Chicago Tribune

Please click here to read In The Shadow of Turning: Throwing Salt and Prodigal Objects.

Funeral services have been held. A public memorial is planned May 4 where Rodgers’ work will be read.