Phillis Wheatley
by Elise
	        
      
	This stamp commemorates Phillis Wheatley.  Phillis 
	Wheatley was born in 1753, in Senegal, West Africa. 
	 Phillis was a very young child when she was sold as 
	 a slave.  Phillis became Phillis Wheatley when she 
	 was sold to a merchant  family, the Wheatley's.  Soon 
	 the Wheatley family realized that Phillis was a gifted
	  child. They taught her how to read and write.  Not 
	  so much time passed before she wrote her first poem,
	   she became the first African/American poet ever.