1971 – Audre Lorde Publishes the First Cities

On May 28, 1971, Audre Lorde published her first volume of poetry, The First Cities, establishing her as a vital voice in American literature and Black feminist thought. Lorde, a self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” used her poetry to explore identity, oppression, love, and resistance. The First Cities introduced readers to Lorde’s unique blend of personal emotion and political insight. Her work would go on to influence generations of writers, activists, and scholars committed to intersectional justice. By publishing with a small press dedicated to African American voices, Lorde helped forge new literary pathways outside traditional white-dominated publishing houses. May 28 stands as a literary landmark that honors the emergence of a poet whose words continue to empower marginalized communities and fuel radical change. Lorde’s debut reminds us that poetry can be a revolutionary act and a tool for Black self-definition.