Poetic Voices For Social Justice

Stonecoast MFA faculty member Martín Espada, recent winner of the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, Pulitzer Prize finalist, American Book Award winner and National Book Critics Circle nominee, will give a public reading alongside Lauren Marie Schmidt, author of three collections of poetry including Psalms of The Dining Room–a sequence of poems about her volunteer experience at a soup kitchen. The reading will be followed by a community discussion of the artist’s role in the community.

 

The New York Times has called Espada “the Latino poet of his generation” and The Poetry Foundation announced his recent award with a celebration of Espada’s dedication “to the pursuit of social justice, fighting for the rights of Latino/a communities and reclaiming the historical record from oblivion.”

 

All proceeds of this evening will go to benefit the Stonecoast MFA Writing for Social Justice Scholarship, established to reduce financial and social barriers to higher education, supports culturally and socially engaged writers committed to creating positive change in the community.

 

Press: 
Portland Press Herald: Poetry Teacher at USM Wins 100k Prize