Grace Lee Boggs

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, every school day The Cardinal will feature a prominent and historical Asian American or Pacific Islander, living or dead, who has worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Datneli Arriaga, Staff Writer

May 15, 2026

Grace Lee Boggs was a Chinese American writer born on June 27, 1915, in Providence, to Chinese immigrants. Growing up during a time when racism and discrimination against Asian American women were common, played a major role in helping shape her beliefs about equality and justice. These experiences inspired her to dedicate her life to helping others and fighting for social change.

Grace later studied philosophy in college and earned a PhD, which was very uncommon for women during that time period. Her education helped her become an activist and philosopher who worked for social justice and civil rights for more than 70 years, working for civil rights and community empowerment. In the 1940s and 1950s, Grace engaged in activism focused on workers’ rights and social changes. She afterwards moved to Detroit, where she spent most of her life working with local communities. She married James Boggs, an African American activist and auto worker, and together they became influential thinkers in movements for civil rights and communities. During the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement, Grace supported Black activists and believed communities were capable of creating changes from square one.

Grace wrote several books in her lifetime, including The Next American Revolution, in which she shared her ideas on activism, race, and the future of America. She continued to advocate into her 90s and became respected as an important voice for justice and equality.

She passed away in 2015 at the age of 100, and her work continues to inspire activists and community leaders today.

About the Contributor

Datneli Arriaga, Staff Writer

Datneli Arriga is a student at Hoover High School. She is a kind and social person. In her free time, she enjoys doomscrolling on TikTok and going shopping. She is very family-oriented and enjoys spending time with friends. A goal she has is to pursue a career in journalism where she is able to speak out about her opinions and help address everyday issues. Additionally, she wants to inform the public with accurate news and maintain full transparency with the information. She believes that journalism acts like a voice for other people. In times of crisis, journalism provides immediate updates on breaking news, such as real-time reporting, and helps people make life-saving decisions. One thing she loves about journalism is the diverse range of journalism, including photojournalism, entertainment, art, and politics. Each one holds different pathways. The topic she wants to focus on is political journalism, which aims to inform the public about political events and hold those in power accountable. She believes political science is essential as it provides citizens with self-government, which means the government is run by its own people. One thing she is looking forward to in the new year is that she is excited to graduate high school and begin a new step in her life, and overcome challenges along the way. She can’t wait to start new memories this year with her friends, and is looking forward to grad night this new year. She wants to experience new opportunities, meet new people, and make new connections. She wants to enter this year with an open mind and exit this year with no regret.