Black Women in History:
Born in Africa, Phillis Wheatley came to the U.S. at age 8, when she was captured and sold into enslavement.
John Wheatley, the Boston man who enslaved her, was impressed by Phillis' intellect and interest in learning, and he and his wife taught her to read and write.
The Wheatleys allowed Phillis time to pursue her studies, which led her to develop an interest in poetry writing. A poem she published in 1767 earned her much acclaim.
Six years later, her first volume of poems was published in London, and she became known in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
The Revolutionary War disrupted Wheatley's writing, however, and she was not widely published after it ended.
Remembering the accomplishments of Black Women in History and encouraging you to make your mark by becoming A Woman of Godly Influence.