On May 2, 1983, Alice Walker was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Color Purple, making her the first African American woman to receive the honor. Her groundbreaking work, published in 1982, tells the story of Celie, a Black Southern woman who endures abuse and hardship but ultimately finds self-empowerment and spiritual liberation. Walker’s prose vividly captures the intersectionality of race, gender, and class in early 20th-century America. The novel was praised for its emotional depth and cultural authenticity, though it also faced criticism for its depiction of Black male characters. The Color Purple has since become a cultural cornerstone, adapted into a critically acclaimed film and Broadway musical. Walker’s Pulitzer win marked a watershed moment for Black women writers and opened doors for a new generation of voices in literature.