Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career Money
    • Health Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes amp; Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Politics

    Amanda Gorman Blew Everyone Away With Her Inauguration Poem

    "I liked Biden's speech, but this poem is giving me courage, inspiration, and life."

    Megan DiTrolio#039;s avatar
    By Megan DiTrolio
    Published 20 January 2021 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    We've heard some incredible, inspiring Inauguration speeches today (including that of our 46th President Joe Biden) but the words of the country's first National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman somehow hit all of us differently. At just 22 years old, Gorman became the youngest poet to ever perform at a presidential inauguration. Her powerful poem on the healing power of unity not only commanded national attention, but captured the hearts of listeners across the political divide. Her words, wise and strong, brave and true, managed to truly express the ethos of this moment.

    Requested to perform by First Lady Jill Biden, Gorman started to write the poem, entitled "The Hill We Climb," following the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. In performing today, she joins the likes of other poets who have addressed the nation at Inauguration ceremonies, including Maya Angelou, Robert frost, Elizabeth Alexander and Richard Blanco (the last two of whom she spoke with before performing for advice).

    Her powerful poem has clearly resonated with the world. Just ask Twitter:

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Amanda Gorman’s message serves as an inspiration to us all. #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/7zkyDoFHaQJanuary 20, 2021

    “Victory won’t lie in the blade but in all the bridges we’ve made.” — Amanda Gorman with the best words of the day.January 20, 2021

    Extraordinary. @TheAmandaGormanJanuary 20, 2021

    I am so emotional. Amanda Gorman looks and sounds like the sun.January 20, 2021

    YES @TheAmandaGorman. YES!!!!!! God bless you. “It’s the past we step into and how we repair it”.January 20, 2021

    Amanda Gorman is incredible. https://t.co/6rJToKeliSJanuary 20, 2021

    Brave enough to see it (the light) and brave enough to be it. #AmandaGorman pic.twitter.com/bqJvuMeYenJanuary 20, 2021

    When can we vote for Amanda GormanJanuary 20, 2021

    I liked Biden's speech, but this poem is giving me courage, inspiration, and life.January 20, 2021

    Amanda Gorman.January 20, 2021

    I know this child is an adult, but I am full auntie. LOOK AT THIS BABY GO!!!January 20, 2021

    Look at Amanda!!! 🥺🥺🥺January 20, 2021

    “Even as we grieved, we grew...as we tired we tried....we found the power to author a new chapter.” Thank you for your powerful poem @TheAmandaGorman. #Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/StTSH8kqDXJanuary 20, 2021

    ....anyone else ready to run through a wall after that poem? gotdamnJanuary 20, 2021

    poets have the best diction. every syllable is very RAIN in SPAINJanuary 20, 2021

    The powerful poem you just heard came from California's own Amanda Gorman. At 16, Amanda was named youth poet laureate of Los Angeles. Dr. Biden is a big fan — I'm sure many others will be after today too.January 20, 2021

    I cried watching Amanda Gorman read this powerful, brilliant poem today. She is exactly the hope we need to see in the world. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Wq8BwG5ByGJanuary 20, 2021

    Amanda Gorman wins the day 💯January 20, 2021

    So... Amanda Gorman for president 2028? (PSA: You can buy her book here.)

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Explore More
    Joe Biden
    Megan DiTrolio
    Megan DiTrolio
    Social Links Navigation

    Megan DiTrolio is the editor of features and special projects at Marie Claire, where she oversees all career coverage and writes and edits stories on women’s issues, politics, cultural trends, and more. In addition to editing feature stories, she programs Marie Claire’s annual Power Trip conference and Marie Claire’s Getting Down To Business Instagram Live franchise.

    Read more
    a split image of author malavika kannan posing while leaning against a chair and wearing a black tube top opposite the cover of her novel unprecedented times
    Books Author Malavika Kannan Is Being Hailed As a Voice of Gen Z. These Coming-of-Age Stories Shaped Her She shares the reading list that inspired her must-read collegiate novel, 'Unprecedented Times.'
    By Sadie Bell
    Queen Elizabeth laying a wreath at the 9/11 memorial
    Royals Queen Elizabeth Broke Tradition With One "Ultimate Sign of Unity" After 9/11
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Dolly Parton posing in a white dress on a gray background
    Royals Dolly Parton Shared “The Most Precious Gifts” With Queen Camilla
    By Kristin Contino
    collage of gloria Steinem
    Politics Gloria Steinem "Passes Away Peacefully" at 92
    By Jenny Hollander
     
     
    Latest in Politics
    a split image of author katya suvorov posing resting her chin on her hands and the cover of her memoir ungrateful immigrant daughter featuring a baby photo
    Books The Moment I Realized My Mom Was a Mail-Order Bride
    collage of gloria Steinem
    Politics Gloria Steinem "Passes Away Peacefully" at 92
     
     
    Black-and-white three-panel collage of mothers holding and cuddling their babies.
    Politics We Asked Women to Share Private Texts, Searches, and Notes From Their Darkest Postpartum Days
    A portrait of Jessica Tarlov seated outdoors in a teal pantsuit.
    Politics Fox News’s Favorite Nasty Woman
     
     
    Latest in News
    A split image of Zizi Strallen in costume as Mary Poppins and Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte with their heads together at the Commonwealth Games
    Royals Princess Charlotte Had a Special Backstage Experience Orchestrated by Mom Kate
    collage of New York Fashion Week guests and celebrities wearing the statement skirt trend
    Fall fashion New York Fashion Week's Easiest Outfit Formula Starts With a Statement Skirt
     
     
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
    collage of the best celebrity looks at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival
    Celebrity Style TIFF 2026's Best-Dressed Stars Are Bringing Their Fashion A-Game to Toronto
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.