AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WRITERS AND THEIR LITERARY LEGACY

African American women writers have long been central to American literature, using their voices to explore themes of race, gender, identity, and social justice. From the antebellum era to contemporary times, these writers have challenged systemic oppression and asserted the humanity of Black women. This paper explores the contributions of major African American women writers, challenges faced by them and evolving literary landscape, as well as the way these authors influenced socio-political discourse in America and elsewhere.