US Postal Service Unveils New Black Heritage Stamp Honoring Phyllis Wheatley

In consumer news, the U.S. Postal Service is preparing to release a new commemorative stamp in time for African American History Month. The stamp will be the 49th in the long-running Black Heritage Series and will honor Phyllis Wheatley, a groundbreaking poet whose work left a lasting mark on American literature.

Wheatley was transported to the United States as an enslaved child and lived in a Boston household, where she was educated by the family who enslaved her. Her exceptional literary talent emerged at a young age, and in 1773 she published her book Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. She was just about 20 years old at the time of its publication.

That same year, Wheatley was granted her freedom. Her poetry drew national and international attention, including praise from George Washington, who admired her work and corresponded with her. Abolitionists later pointed to Wheatley’s writing as powerful evidence of the intellectual abilities of African Americans during a time when slavery and racial discrimination were deeply entrenched.

Wheatley’s influence extended well beyond her lifetime. Her contributions to literature earned her the title “Mother of African American Literature,” recognizing her role in paving the way for future generations of Black writers.

The new stamp serves as both a tribute to Wheatley’s legacy and a reminder of the enduring impact of her words. It will be available nationwide as part of the Postal Service’s Black Heritage Series.

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