Carolyn Marie Rodgers, Poet, playwright, and author of ten collections of poetry and short fiction died April 2, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Rodgers was a founding member of major writer of OBAC, the Organization of Black American Culture and had her own publishing company, Eden Press. Besides being the author of nine books including "How I got Ovah", she holds the distinction of being one of the first Third World Press authors. Carolyn was one of the founders of Third World Press along with Jewel Latimore, and Haiki R. Madhubuti. Her off Broadway play "Love" was directed and produced by Woodie King and Ron Milner in 1982 at the New Federal Theater in New York City. Rodgers achieved a national reputation as a writer whose work largely relate to her intrinsic concern of African American women. During her career as a writer, she taught at Columbia College; Albany State University; and Harold Washington College. She has lectured widely across the United States at Universities including Roosevelt, Fisk and Emory University. She also held a position as a book critic for the Chicago Daily News, as well as a position as a columnist for the Milwaukee Courier. She received a National Endowment for the Arts grant (1970) and the Post Laureate Award (1979). Carolyn was inducted into the International Literacy Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent, April 18, 2009, on the campus of Chicago State University. Carolyn M. Rodgers was born in Chicago from the union of Clarence and Bazella Rodgers. Rodgers earned a Bachelors of Arts from Roosevelt University in 1965 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 1980. Ms. Rodgers, Poet, writer was preceded in death by her father Clarence Rodgers, her brother Robert Rodgers, her aunt Kathryn Rivera. Survivors include her mother Bazella Rodgers, two sister Gloria V. Rodgers and Nina R. Gordon, a niece Karin Lemon (Darnell), a nephew, William Gordon, a great-nephew Darnell Christopher Lemon, cousins and countless other family members, friends and fellow writers, Special friends Ronda Curry of Oakland, California and adopted family Phyllis Powell and Dr. Linda Powell of Chicago. During her illness Carolyn had special commitment to young people, reading and critiquing their works, celebrating and giving them guidance to their creative talents especially the works of Helen and Clifton Lyons. Services have been held. A memorial is being planned for May 4, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois.