Carrie Williams Clifford’s poetry cut straight to the heart of America’s inequalities—speaking from the lived perspectives of both racism and sexism. Her first book of poems was dedicated to her mother, her second to Black Americans. She called for action through her verse, urging readers to “change some evil heart, right some wrong, and raise some arm strong to deliver.”
Clifford’s writing extended beyond poetry. She contributed to publications like the NAACP Crisis and The Cleveland Journal, using the written word to “uplift humanity.” But this was only one part of her life’s work.
Born in 1862 in Ohio, Clifford grew up committed to education and civic engagement. She married William H. Clifford, a Republican member of the Ohio State Legislature, and quickly became a leader in social and political causes. She founded the Minerva Reading Club to spark discussions on pressing social issues, worked with the National Association of Colored Women, and established the Ohio Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. These groups fought for women’s suffrage and sought to improve the lives of Black women—organizing, educating, and advocating for reform.
Her friendships with figures like W.E.B. Du Bois deepened her activism. Clifford became involved with the Niagara Movement, a forerunner of the NAACP, and participated in the cultural and political currents of the Harlem Renaissance. After moving to Washington, D.C., she hosted Sunday evening salons that drew scholars and thinkers from Howard University, fostering a space for intellectual exchange.
Lynching was not an abstract issue for Clifford—it was a deeply personal and urgent cause. She helped organize a Silent Parade in Washington to protest racial violence and met with President Taft in an effort to win federal support for anti-lynching legislation.
Carrie Williams Clifford passed away in Washington, D.C., in 1934. Her life’s work—spanning literature, organizing, and direct advocacy—left a legacy of courage and commitment to justice.
American Pulp Culture 