Amanda Gorman's 'Girls on the Rise' makes the case that girls are stronger together

Summary

NPR's Book of the Day: Amanda Gorman's Girls on the Rise Makes the Case That Girls Are Stronger Together

Release Date: January 20, 2025
Host: Eric Degens
Guest: Amanda Gorman, Poet and Author
Illustrator: Love is Wise
Episode Duration: Approximately 10 minutes

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Overview

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, host Eric Degens interviews acclaimed poet and author Amanda Gorman about her latest children's picture book, Girls on the Rise. Gorman, renowned for her impactful poetry and her role as the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, delves into the themes of her new book, which addresses sexism and equality through engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations. The conversation explores the inspiration behind the book, the collaboration with illustrator Love is Wise, and the importance of fostering a supportive community among young girls.

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Inspiration Behind Girls on the Rise

Amanda Gorman discusses the origin of her book, linking it to her previous work, particularly the poem "We Rise."

Amanda Gorman ([02:04]): "I wrote 'We Rise' a few years ago... it started as really a passion project in wanting to celebrate the organizations that I know who have done so much celebrating the truth of women."

The inspiration stemmed from the emotional impact of Dr. Blasey Ford's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, prompting Gorman to create art that honors female leaders and advocates for gender equality.

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Collaboration with Illustrator Love is Wise

Gorman highlights the significance of the illustrations in conveying the book's message effectively to children.

Amanda Gorman ([03:14]): "Love is Wise is just incredible... It had to create this very vivid, safe space in which all gender identities could feel that they were involved in this conversation."

The collaboration with Love is Wise resulted in lush, vibrant visuals that bring to life the book's themes, making complex subjects like gender and sexism accessible and engaging for young readers.

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Addressing Complex Issues for Children

Gorman emphasizes her belief in the emotional intelligence of children and the necessity of addressing topics like gender equality at a young age.

Amanda Gorman ([04:09]): "Children are far more intelligent than we give them credit for, especially emotionally... I think the sooner that we create a welcoming dialogue with children... the better the world will be for it."

She shares personal experiences of facing gender-based challenges during her childhood, underscoring the importance of open conversations to empower young girls.

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Reading a Poetic Section from the Book

Gorman reads a poignant excerpt from her book, encapsulating its core message about the strength found in solidarity.

Amanda Gorman ([05:18]):
"We are beautiful not because of how we may appear,
but how we look straight into the face of fear.
Yes, being a girl takes a brave heart.
Sometimes we might feel scared, lost, and in the dark.
Some days, it feels too hard to stand up on our own.
But here's the thing. When one girl stands up, she is never alone."
([05:18] - [05:53])

This passage highlights the central theme that collective strength among girls fosters resilience and community.

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The Importance of Solidarity Among Girls

Gorman elaborates on why emphasizing unity among girls is crucial in combating feelings of isolation and fostering a supportive environment.

Amanda Gorman ([06:02]): "The more that we can stand with them and amongst them as allies... there's no longer this feeling of being alone, but being part of a community that shares your value."

She points to research and everyday experiences that demonstrate the challenges young girls face, advocating for systemic change to ensure their safety and empowerment.

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Navigating Discouraging Headlines and Empowerment

Addressing current events that may dishearten young girls, such as political setbacks and publicized sexism, Gorman offers a perspective that frames these challenges as catalysts for future progress.

Amanda Gorman ([07:05]):
"I never see a quote unquote failure as an end all of the progress for gender equity... These 'defeats' are progression."

She interprets setbacks faced by prominent female figures as encouragement for more women to step into leadership roles, reinforcing the idea that decline is not final but part of an ongoing movement towards equality.

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Gorman's Personal Mantra and Legacy

Gorman shares her personal mantra, which serves as a source of strength and inspiration, and discusses her hopes for the book's impact on young readers.

Amanda Gorman ([08:35]):
"I am the daughter of black writers.
We are descended from freedom fighters who broke their chains
and changed the world."

She expresses her desire for readers to develop their own empowering philosophies and emphasizes that Girls on the Rise is intended for a broad audience, including families, communities, and allies, to foster a sense of belonging and collective advancement.

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Conclusion

Amanda Gorman's Girls on the Rise serves as a powerful tool for educating young readers about gender equality and the importance of solidarity. Through her insightful dialogue with Eric Degens, Gorman underscores the book's role in creating an inclusive and supportive narrative for girls, encouraging them to embrace their strength and unity. The collaboration with Love is Wise enriches the book's message with vibrant illustrations, making complex topics approachable and inspiring for children and their communities alike.

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Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Gorman ([04:09]): "Children are far more intelligent than we give them credit for, especially emotionally."

• Amanda Gorman ([05:18]):
  "We are beautiful not because of how we may appear,
  but how we look straight into the face of fear."

• Amanda Gorman ([07:05]):
  "I never see a quote unquote failure as an end all of the progress for gender equity."

• Amanda Gorman ([08:35]):
  "I am the daughter of black writers.
  We are descended from freedom fighters who broke their chains
  and changed the world."

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This summary is based on the transcript of the NPR podcast episode released on January 20, 2025. For the full conversation, please listen to NPR's Book of the Day episode featuring Amanda Gorman.

Transcript

[Andrew Limbong]

Hey, it's NPR's Book of the Day. I'm Andrew Limbong. Today is inauguration day. It's a big day for marching bands, for singers, for flag wavers, for performers and artists of all types. Oh, and I think the new president might say a word or two, but in all seriousness, it can be a big platform for people who aren't gonna be president. Take, for instance, the poet Amanda Gorman. Since her appearance at Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021, her career has taken off. She's now written a picture book for kids titled Girls on the Rise, which talks to little kids about sexism and equality, stuff that grown adults can have a hard time wrapping their heads around. But as Gorman tells NPR's Eric Degens, kids are smarter than we think. That's coming up.

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[Eric Degens]

Poet and author Amanda Gorman offers a key line in her picture book for young readers called Girls on the Rise that seems to sum up the focus of her inspirational story. When one girl is on the rise, it means everyone else is too. I can't think of a better sentiment to kick off a discussion in the new year with Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in US history, she spoke at Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021, as well as the first person to be named the National Youth Poet Laureate and the bestselling author here to talk about Girls on the Rise. Amanda, welcome.

[Amanda Gorman]

Hey, thanks for having me.

[Eric Degens]

All right, so first, how did you get the idea to create this picture book and is I'm wondering if it's connected at to this poem that you wrote in 2021 called We Rise.

[Amanda Gorman]

Yes, absolutely. So I wrote We Rise a few years ago. Its inception was actually around the time when Dr. Blasey Ford was testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. And I really wanted to write a poem just for myself because I was feeling so many emotions watching that testimony. And so that began as a poem that I wrote for myself. I shared it with organizations that have done incredible work like Vital Voices, which uplift so many female leaders. And so it started as really a passion project in wanting to celebrate the Organizations that I know who have done so much celebrating the truth of women.

[Eric Degens]

Man, I wish that people listening could see the vibrant colors and the imagery in this book. I mean, in one illustration, we've got a group of girls standing in this lush field, and they're holding this banner that says, liberation, Freedom, Respect. In another, we see. See them walking through a dark forest to find a friend holding a lantern. How did you bring on Illustrator Love is Wise and pick these images?

[Andrew Limbong]

Mm.

[Amanda Gorman]

Love is Wise is just incredible. And I knew that I wanted this book to be. And you nailed it so correctly. So vibrant, so lush, so filled with life. Because talking about gender, talking about sexism, can be incredibly challenging, a for adults, let alone for children. And so I knew the pages had to create this very vivid, safe space in which all gender identities could feel that they were involved in this conversation of what it means to be a young person who identifies as a girl.

[Eric Degens]

Now, you bring up a great point, which is you're talking about subjects that some parents might think are relatively advanced, but you're trying to talk about them in a way that children can understand them. How do you get your messages about equality and resisting sexism and uplifting girls? How do you format that for a young audience?

[Amanda Gorman]

I always write my books with the understanding that children are far more intelligent than we give them credit for, especially emotionally. I think there's this idea that talking about gender equality is too advanced for young children. But actually, they're asking these questions and living those experiences from an incredibly young age. I mean, I remember being a young girl and being like, why are guys telling me that I throw like a girl? Like it's an insult? Why am I getting bullied by young boys in the class? Why are there these rules that I have to play with these toys or dress in this way or speak in this way to be accepted? And I think the sooner that we create a welcoming dialogue with children or they feel that they can voice, hey, this is what's going on with me, the more better the world will be for it.

[Eric Degens]

Now, you know, I wouldn't ask you to read the entire poem, which covers something like 18 pages in the book, but I was wondering if you could read the lines on page 8 to page 12, which I really liked.

[Amanda Gorman]

We are beautiful not because of how we may appear, but how we look straight into the face of fear. Yes, being a girl takes a brave heart. Sometimes we might feel scared, lost, and in the dark. Some days, it feels too hard to stand up on our own. But here's the thing. When one girl stands up, she is never alone.

[Eric Degens]

That leads to my question, which is, why is it so important to emphasize how girls are stronger when they stand together?

[Amanda Gorman]

I think because so often girls feel alone. I mean, I think the research shows us this, as well as just everyday experiences, that being a young girl in these times can be very difficult, very challenging. And I think that's going to continue unless there's a systemic change that makes sure that girls feel safe and protected. And the more that we can stand with them and amongst them as allies and as me as a woman myself, then there's no longer this feeling of being alone, but being part of a community that shares your value.

[Eric Degens]

Well, you know, you look at the headlines nowadays, and this could be a discouraging moment for young girls. I mean, Kamala Harris was just defeated in her bid to become president. We see female stars like Blake Lively speaking out about dealing with allegations about sexism and sexist behavior on sets. What do you tell young girls about how to handle the current climate?

[Amanda Gorman]

Hmm. You are totally right in that so much of the news and headlines are disheartening. And it's something that I talk about with my mom and also my friends or also women. Just in so many ways. You are being emotionally, politically beat up right now. But on the flip side of that, I never see a quote unquote failure as a be an end all of the progress for gender equity. If anything, I look at the quote, unquote defeats of Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris as progression. And I put quotes on that failure, not because I am contesting that they were defeated in their elections. I don't. I'm putting quotes on those because if you look, statistically, when women run, when we lead, when we, truth tell, we might not make it exactly to where we had envisioned or where we had planned, but there is an entirety of waves that follow behind us. I'm so excited to see all of the other women who we're going to see running after Kamala, not because she won, but because she lost. And that's what drives us forward to know this cannot be where it ends.

[Eric Degens]

Now, I've heard that you have a mantra that you say to yourself before every public appearance.

[Amanda Gorman]

You are deep diving. You're getting it.

[Eric Degens]

I'm doing more research here.

[Amanda Gorman]

Right, yeah.

[Eric Degens]

Now. Now, do you think you can say it for us?

[Amanda Gorman]

Absolutely. So the mantra that I say is, I am the daughter of black writers. We are descended from freedom fighters who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me now.

[Eric Degens]

How does that inspire you now. And are you hoping to pass a similar inspiration onto the girls that read this book?

[Amanda Gorman]

It's definitely a kind of ethos that I carry with me in whatever I do. And when I write, for example, this book for young girls, the idea isn't for them to adopt my mantra, adopt my philosophy as their own, but to create their own ideas on their own terms and what it means for them. And I think my ultimate hope with this book is that it's a book not just for girls, but for their families, for their communities, for their allies, for young boys. To read it, too, would be amazing for gender non binary children to read it and to feel as if they're part of a historical context of belonging, where their voice has power. Because when any marginalized group, including girls, are on the rise, all of us are on the ascent with them.

[Eric Degens]

That is. Amanda Gorman, poet and author with illustrator Love Is Wise of the new children's picture book Girls on the Rise. Thanks for joining us, Amanda.

[Amanda Gorman]

Thanks for having me.

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