USPS to Honor Phillis Wheatley with 49th Black Heritage Stamp

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will release a stamp honoring Phillis Wheatley, the frist published African American poet, as part of its Black Heritage series. The stamp, the 49th in the series, recognizes Wheatley’s meaningful contribution to American literature and her groundbreaking achievement as an enslaved woman in the 18th century.The release comes at a time when support for public media is facing challenges, highlighting the importance of celebrating Black history and culture through diverse platforms.

Who Was Phillis Wheatley?

Phillis Wheatley (circa 1753-1784) was a pivotal figure in American literary history. Kidnapped from West Africa as a child, she was brought to Boston and enslaved by the Wheatley family [[1]]. Despite the immense hardships she faced, Wheatley received an remarkable education and began writing poetry at a young age.

By her early teens, Wheatley had mastered English, Latin, and Greek and was composing sophisticated poetry. Her poems explored themes of religion,morality,and the complexities of freedom and enslavement. In 1773, she traveled to London to publish her first and only collection, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral [[2]].

Before publication,Wheatley’s authorship was questioned due to racial prejudice. In 1772, she was summoned before a panel of 18 prominent Bostonians, including scholars and government officials, to defend her authorship [[1]]. Successfully proving her intellectual capabilities, she became the first African American, and one of the first women in the United States, to publish a book of poetry.

The New Stamp and the Black Heritage Series

The Phillis Wheatley stamp was designed by acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall [[2]]. The USPS Black Heritage series began in 1978 with a stamp honoring Harriet Tubman and has since celebrated numerous influential African Americans across various fields.

Previous honorees include Lena Horne, whose stamp was released in 2018 [[1]]. The series serves as a lasting tribute to the achievements and contributions of Black individuals who have shaped American history and culture.

Release Date and Dedication Ceremony

The Phillis Wheatley Black Heritage stamp will be officially released on January 29th with a dedication ceremony in Boston [[3]].The event will be open to the public, offering an chance to celebrate Wheatley’s legacy and the power of her words.

Key Takeaways

• Phillis Wheatley was the first published African American poet.
• She overcame immense hardship as an enslaved woman to achieve literary recognition.
• The USPS Black Heritage series honors influential African Americans.
• The Wheatley stamp is the 49th in the series and designed by Kerry James Marshall.
• A public dedication ceremony will be held in Boston on January 29th.