Date of Birth: October 18, 1948
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: October 27, 2018
Biography
Ntozake Shange was a renowned American playwright, poet, and novelist, best known for her groundbreaking work “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf.” Born Paulette Linda Williams, she adopted her Zulu name Ntozake Shange, which means “she who comes with her own things” and “she who walks like a lion,” respectively. Shange’s work is celebrated for its innovative blend of poetry, dance, music, and drama, which she called a “choreopoem.” Her powerful voice addressed themes of race, gender, and identity, resonating deeply with African American women and the broader literary community. Shange was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and grew up in a culturally rich environment, with her parents fostering a deep appreciation for the arts and intellectual discourse. She attended Barnard College and earned her Master’s degree in American Studies from the University of Southern California. Despite initial struggles with depression and personal trauma, Shange’s literary career flourished, and she went on to publish numerous works, including plays, novels, and poetry collections. Her most famous work, “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf,” premiered in 1976 and was a pioneering piece that brought the experiences of African American women to the forefront of American theater. The play’s success led to a Tony Award nomination and cemented Shange’s place as a key figure in contemporary American literature.
5 Interesting Facts about Ntozake Shange
1. Ntozake Shange’s birth name was Paulette Linda Williams.
2. She adopted her pen name “Ntozake Shange” from the Zulu language.
3. Her most famous work, “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf,” was adapted into a film by Tyler Perry in 2010.
4. Shange was a founding member of the feminist literary collective, the “Sisterhood.”
5. She won an Obie Award for “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ntozake Shange
1. “I found God in myself and I loved her, I loved her fiercely.”
2. “Where there is a woman, there is magic.”
3. “I write for young girls of color, for girls who don’t even exist yet, so that there is something there for them when they arrive.”
4. “Being alive and being a woman is all I got, but being colored is a metaphysical dilemma I haven’t conquered yet.”
5. “I write because I am afraid to say some things out loud.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of her career, Ntozake Shange’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Ntozake Shange did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography at Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ntozake-shange
2. [Ntozake Shange at Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ntozake-Shange
