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Alice Walker is born
The famous novelist's birth date is Feb, 9, 1944. She was born at home under the sign of Aquarius. -
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Timespan of this Timeline
Happy Birthday, Alice! -
first day at school
Alice Walker's mother put her in school at the age of four. As her father was a poor farmer and her mother a maid, it wasn't easy to go to school. It grew harder for Alice as she grew shyer and more conscious of her race. -
beginnings of a writer
Alice started writing in 1952. She kept these works to herself, away from everyone, including her family. -
Alice is injured
At the tender age of eight, attending school, Alice Malsenior Walker was accidentally shot in the right eye by her brother Curtis (while playing a game) with a BB gun. When she was finally able to see a doctor a week later, Alice's eye was permanently blinded.
*In this image from later on, note that her right eye is wide open and looking in a slightly different direction than her left. -
Eyes wide open
When Alice turned fourteen (14), she had the scarred tissue that had developed over her wounded eye removed. Although blind, the eye was visible, and the surgery clue was a tiny blue sphere. Alice achieved the title of valedictorian, the most popular girl, and was voted the homecoming queen of her class as a senior. Alice said her injury "really allowed me to see people and things, really to notice relationships and to learn to be patient enough to care about how they turned out." -Alice Walker -
MLK and Alice, 1961
After enrolling with three gifts (a sewing machine, a typewriter, and a suitcase),Alice met Martin Luther King Jr. on campus at Spelman College. She credits him as her reason for later returning South, and involving herself as an activist. -
March on Washington, 1963
Alice Walker participated in the 1963 March on Washington, protesting the eve of the Iraq War. She was later arrested for participating in crossing a police barrier. -
Sarah Lawrence College
In 1964, Alice moved to the Sarah Lawrence College, where her writing abilities were greatly increased by her teachers. -
"To Hell with Dying"
Alice's first work of fiction, "To Hell with Dying", was published and appeared in the Best Short Stories by Negro Writers. It told of the good and bad times of 2 children and old Mr. Sweet, and of the children trying to prolong the inevitable. -
Alice + Melvyn Leventhal
Alice married Melvyn Leventhan in 1967 after knowing him for two years. -
Meet Rebecca Walker
Melvyn and Alice had their first and only daughter on November 17, 1969. They named her Rebecca Walker. -
Melvyn and Alice divorce
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Middle name change
In 1994, Alice changed her middle name to Tallulah-Kate, in memory of her maternal great grandmother and her paternal grandmother. -
Hall of Fame
Alice claimed a spot in the Hall of Fame in 2006. -
2010 Lennon/Ono Grant for Peace
Alice recieved her most recent award in 2010. -
Alice's newest book
Alice's latest creation, a memoir titled The Chicken Chronicles, came out in May of 2011.
