Skip to Main Content
Impact

From “The Hill We Climb” to What Comes Next: Amanda Gorman on Legacy and Change

Image by Danny Williams

25 Jul '25
By The Shift

Image by Danny Williams

25 Jul '25
By The Shift

Image by Danny Williams

The Shift highlights women’s stories through the lens of impact. It hopes to contextualize history and inspire action.

A

Amanda Gorman is a celebrated poet and activist whose words reached millions when she performed at the U.S. presidential inauguration in 2021. She is the youngest inaugural poet in American history and a bestselling author whose work, including ‘The Hill We Climb’, continues to inspire movements for hope and justice.

Shop The Story

The Shift:

What is the legacy you hope to leave behind as a changemaker and leader in your industry?

Amanda:

The legacy I hope to leave behind as a changemaker is one of encouragement towards young people: to remain true to themselves and uplift one another.

The Shift:

What’s shifted for you since performing “The Hill We Climb” at the presidential inauguration?

Amanda:

In the last four years since performing “The Hill We Climb” at the presidential inauguration, I’ve witnessed how dreaming together toward a better future has become more important than ever. We must find new ways to work together and unite, to fight for what is right and turn our hopes to reality. Through us, it is possible.

Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images

—–

Amanda Gorman is honored as part of The Shift’s “90 Plus One” list, which recognizes influential women shaping contemporary culture. With Gloria Steinem featured on the inaugural print cover, the list pays homage to her 91 years of activism by highlighting a powerhouse community of women shifting culture.