Texas Poet Laureate Laurie Ann Guerrero visited Texas A&M University-San Antonio on March 8 in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The Arts & Humanities Department, the University library, and the Writing Center hosted a poetry reading and book signing with Guerrero in the Patriots’ Casa Ceremony Room as well as a writing workshop with a select group of students.
Guerrero was born and raised on the South Side of San Antonio, earning her associate’s degree from Palo Alto College before going on to receive her bachelor’s in English Language & Literature from Smith College and a master’s in Poetry from Drew University.
Guerrero was appointed San Antonio Poet Laureate in 2014 by former mayor Julian Castro and served until 2016, when she was appointed Texas Poet Laureate by the 84th state Legislature.
Her published works include “A Tongue in the Mouth of the Dying” (2013) and “A Crown for Gumecindo” (2015), a collection of poems written in honor of her grandfather.
Her roots allow her to identify closely with A&M- San Antonio students. Faculty said Guerrero’s role as a Chicana community advocate in Texas combined with new HSI status of A&M- San Antonio made her a perfect candidate to be a guest speaker for A&M-San Antonio.
“She is truly inspirational,” said Dr. Adrianna Santos, assistant professor of English. “As a Chicana, a community activist and advocate, a talented writer, and an all around awesome person, Laurie is an exemplary poet laureate, and one whose experiences reflect the unique culture of South Texas, and San Anto specifically.”
International Women’s Day 2017’s chosen campaign theme is #BeBoldForChange. The event challenges people to campaign against violence, forge women’s advancement, challenge bias and inequality, celebrate women’s achievement, and champion for women’s education.
“Students immediately respond to [Guerrero’s] work,” Santos said. “She embodies the International Women’s Day 2017 #BeBoldForChange by addressing themes of resistance, and self and collective empowerment in her poetry,” reasons Santos said she asked Guerrero to speak on campus.
“I personally identify with Guerrero’s work and take every opportunity to bring it into the classroom,” Santos said. “I expect that her presence on campus will inspire even more student engagement with Chicanx/Latinx literature by encouraging them to find opportunities to write their own stories, check out the thriving local poetry scene, and contribute to the arts community in general, especially those artists and venues that place value on the lives of Mexican-American people in San Antonio.”
