born Feb. 18, 1934, New York, N.Y., U.S.
died Nov. 17, 1992, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. poet and essayist.
Born to West Indian parents, she worked as a librarian until 1968, when she began to write full-time. She is best known for her passionate writings on lesbian feminism and racial issues, including Cables to Rage (1970), New York Head Shop and Museum (1974), and The Black Unicorn (1978), often called her finest work. Her battle with cancer inspired The Cancer Journals (1980) and A Burst of Light (1988, National Book Award).