The Universe Provides: The Biography of Alice Walker Speech by Evelyn C. White, for the celebration of Black History Month

The Hellenic American Union, in cooperation with the US Embassy in Athens, presents a lecture by American journalist, activist and author Evelyn C. White. The event is taking place on Tuesday, February 24, at 7 pm, as part of the annual celebration of Black History Month in the US.

White is the author of Alice Walker: A Life, a biography the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction for her novel, The Color Purple. Walker's book was also made into a film directed by Steven Spielberg and earned 11 Oscar nominations. The story takes place in rural Georgia and focuses on the lives of African American women in the 1930s in the South and the poverty, racism and sexual discrimination they faced.

In her speech, "The Uuniverse Provides: Alice Walker, Abundance and the Art of Biography," White, starting from the life and work of Alice Walker as well as her personal experience, will talk about the role of fate in the life of man. An unfortunate event in Walker's life made her a shy and introverted child, who was nevertheless very perceptive. This event was the basis for Walker becoming a writer and playing such a significant role in the rise of African American literature in the 1970s. White will also talk about the opportunities she had for education and work, as well as her own evolution as Walker's biographer. "You never know what fate and the universe has in store for you. What matters most is that you don't get disappointed and don't give up in the face of difficulties." Adrianne Kalfopoulou, poet, Professor of English Literature and Director of the Hellenic American University Graduate Programs, will be presenting Evelyn C. White.