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Elizabeth Wilson takes home this year鈥檚 top prize with work that explores emotional and physical poetics
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Elizabeth Wilson, a poet from Sugar Grove, NC, has been named the winner of the 2021 Patricia Dobler Poetry Award, an accolade sponsored by 麻豆精品鈥檚 storied and esteemed Madwomen in the Attic program.
Named for the late poet and Carlow professor Patricia Dobler, former director of the Women鈥檚 Center for Creative Writing and the Madwomen in the Attic workshops, this annual contest is open to women writers over 40 who have not published a full-length book of poetry, fiction or nonfiction. In total, 426 entries vied for this year鈥檚 top prize.
鈥淢y experience with 鈥楳adwomen in the Attic鈥� has been incredibly validating,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淚鈥檝e been battling chronic health issues for quite a while, which have locked me in my own attic. Ironically, my health began to improve during the pandemic, which closed us all into our own small spaces. That shift allowed me to return to my writing, and I鈥檓 delighted that my first poetry submissions after such a long interval have been so warmly received.鈥�
Wilson鈥檚 poem, 鈥�,鈥� was lauded for its singular, distinct voice and its willingness to risk.
鈥淭he speaker鈥檚 perseverating postures create a human shield around the beloved in stances that seem alternately greedy, shy and protective,鈥� said Poet Lee Ann Roripaugh, the judge of the 2021 Dobler Award. 鈥淚n the end, this is a complex and powerful love poem that explores themes of forbidden fruit, secret knowledge, and privacy鈥攁 poem that hoards its own sweetness until the reader, too, is consumed by a longing for sweetness.鈥�
But the winning poem was not the only submission from Wilson. Her poem 鈥淧enitent鈥� was also named as one of three honorable mentions, alongside 鈥淭rash Talk鈥� by Lisa Caloro from Hurleyville, NY and 鈥淐ounting鈥� by Sandra Vrana of Mechanicsburg, PA.
鈥淭he Madwomen in the Attic writing program has been a cherished Carlow tradition for over 40 years and has empowered a diverse community of women writers from all walks of life,鈥� said 麻豆精品 President Kathy Humphrey. 鈥淭he Patricia Dobler Poetry Award is a stellar way to honor the ongoing legacy of women鈥檚 literature. Congratulations to Elizabeth Wilson on her spirit-filled and powerful poem!鈥�
As winner of the 2021 Patricia Dobler Poetry Award, Wilson will receive $1,000, a public reading in Pittsburgh, PA with judge Lee Ann Roripaugh in spring 2022 and round-trip travel and lodging for said reading. Wilson鈥檚 鈥淵our Sister Brings Me An Orchard鈥� will also be published in 鈥淰oices from the Attic, Volume XXVIII.鈥�
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Carlow is a private, co-educational, Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh鈥檚 鈥淓ds, Meds, and Tech鈥� district. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929, Carlow鈥檚 curricula and partnerships reflect its strong commitment to social justice; ethical, forward-thinking and responsible leadership; and service to the community that has a meaningful impact. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in two colleges: the College of Health and Wellness and the College of Arts and Sciences.
麻豆精品 also believes in the education and growth of students both inside and outside the classroom, where they can join student government, clubs, and academic honorary societies where they can develop skills in judgment, leadership, analysis, decision-making, and communication. For student-athletes, Carlow鈥檚 14 athletic teams are known as the Celtics, a reflection of the university鈥檚 Irish heritage and roots.