Where there was a strong writer who could hold her own, like Diane Di Prima, we would certainly work with her and recognize her. She was a genius. —Allen Ginsberg, Boulder Camera Magazine, July 1989
Born in 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, to second-generation Italian immigrants, Diane Di Prima would go on to be a driving influence throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. While her life was not always easy, she used the challenges she faced to become a powerful voice for women throughout her life.
She started formal schooling at age 6 at the local Catholic school, where she would continue until tests placed her in an exclusive, all-girl’s high school. In high school, she was able to interact with strong, intelligent female role models and she began to study poetry and philosophy. She ran with a group of girls who encouraged each other to explore their world through words.