She was the first black writer to receive that award. Annie Allen addresses social issues in greater depth, centering on the growth and experiences of a young black women ( Clark 247).
In high school and college Brooks did not have many boyfriends because she was shy and dark. At the age of 20 she married Henry Blakely. They moved to a kitchenette apartment and were poor but happy. In her earlier marriage, Brooks's career as a writer began to take off, but she became pregnant with her first child, Noah. Brooks began a teaching job while writing on the side . Two years later Brooks became pregnant with her second child, Henry Blakely III. Brooks and her husband separated in 1969 and were reconciled in 1973. Brooks learned through personal experiences what it means to be black and a female ( Cosby 719).
When Brooks attended a poetry work shop at Fisk University her poetry changed. Critics called the new turning point as an "awakening"( McKay 641). Brooks experienced a change in political consciousness and artistic direction after witnessing the combative spirit or young black authors. Brooks abandoned traditional poetic forms in favor of free verse. Brooks's poetry displays a controlled impressionism, with technical skill of inventive unpredictable themes.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Brooks's poetry progressively shifted away from her characteristically women-identified vision toward a more male-centered vision. Also in her earlier poetry she attacked racial discrimination, praised black American heroes, and satirized both blacks and whites. Her later work became more militant and nationalistic. The verse is written in a style that includes black language and rituals. Her later poetry are also more socially aware and they reflect her belief about her black community and surroundings. Brooks wrote poems that make sense to the black community (Mills108).
All of Brooks's poetry reflects her beliefs that a writer must not respond to her climate, but must write about what is in the world.