A Poetic Perspective on Peace

On Thursday, December 14 Native American poet and activist Joy Harjo gave the 2023-24 Peace Week Lecture in the Meetinghouse. A mem­ber of the Mvskoke Nation, Joy became the first Native American United States Poet Laureate (2019-2022). She has authored ten books of poetry and released seven award-winning albums. During her week long visit to campus she engaged students and faculty—weaving together a captivating tapestry of mysticism, spirituality, and nature. Middle School History Teacher Elizabeth Grossi, who recently completed a sabbatical when immersed herself in Native American history and art, comments. “It was moving to hear Joy read her poetry and play the flute in the Meetinghouse. During my sabbatical, I read her work in a book club at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in New Mexico. It was wonderful to have the chance to speak with her and share all of these experiences with students."

This program was made possible, in part, by the Isaac Rauch ’08 Fund for Literature, which was established by Marc Rauch and Lisa Anderson in memory of their late son Isaac (1991-2020), to support events at Friends that reflect his love of books. To learn more about the Friends Seminary endowment, click here.