Her courageous effort to continued her education are remarkable. Pinkie had the tenacity to sell her family’s home and purse her dream of attending college. Gordon-Lane held degrees from Spelman College and Atlanta University. In 1967, she became the first African American woman to earn a degree from Louisiana State University.

Gordon who married Ulysses Simpson Lane, became one of Spelman’s most distinguished graduates. She began her career as an English instructor at Southern University in Baton Rouge while simultaneously pursuing her PhD from Louisiana State University. Later as the first Black Poet Laureate of Louisiana, Gordon-Lane earned several awards for her work including being inducted to the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame. One of her most notable works include "I Never Scream: New and Selected Poems."

Gordon Lane was also recognized for her work with Charles Rowell—the critically acclaimed founder of Callaloo literary journal. Together, Gordon Lane and Rowell expanded the field of contemporary Black poetry. They are also credited with steering the work of the Southern University’s Black Poetry Festival when its founder Melvin Butler died. Under their leadership the Festival fostered collaboration between Black artists of all genres and provided artists with resources to enhance their understanding about publishing and expand audiences for their work.

The Festival achieved national prominence. Its most renowned participants included Lucille Clifton, Audre Lorde, Sonia Sanchez, and Pulitzer prize winner, Toni Morrison who was chosen to give the Festival’s keynote address in 1977.