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Dublin Poet Laureate
About Us Contact Us Upcoming Events Prior Events PL Activities News Links FAQs
Welcome to the City of Dublin's Poet Laureate page. Please keep checking back as we catch up with all the news and events of the last year and plans for 2009-2010!
About Us
On May 18, 2010, the Dublin City Council appointed new Poet Laureate, Jonnie McCoy-Howell to a two-year term. Jonnie succeeds Ronnie Holland who served the past two years as Dublin’s first Poet Laureate.
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Jonnie McCoy-Howell is an Oakland native currently living in Dublin as of 2007. She is a poet, motivational speaker, philanthropist and Dublin’s newest poet laureate. Best known for her contagious laugh, you can always find her helping someone else in need. She spreads her joy by visiting the sick in area hospitals, feeding the homeless and showing compassion towards those in need. Writing has long been her passion ever since she could remember. Jonnie fell in love with writing when she was 8 years old, after singing in the church choir. Soon after, Jonnie started writing short songs, which later developed into a therapeutic outlet for venting deep feelings of emotions. Little did she know it, but a natural born gift had been birthed and the love for poetry was then cultivated from that day forth. Since then, she has written numerous poems and is currently working on a book entitled, The Day I Found Myself, due out later this year. Jonnie draw’s most of her influence from social and economic pressures in life, that often reflects stories of endurance and perseverance that we all hold, which will leave you stimulated or thinking about the greater good of mankind. She believes that a writer has a great responsibility to influence, inspire and provoke thought towards change in others. Jonnie never underestimates the power of the pen; therefore, she uses the gift of writing to be the “voice” of those that are silently looking for encouragement to go on in the face of adversity. As Poet Laureate, Jonnie hopes to continue to build on the foundation that Ronnie Holland, Poet Laureate Emeritus has established, as well as, bridge the gap between all generations, which will diversify the ever growing poetic community. |
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“Hope has not died, nor has it been cut off from it’s roots, therefore, we must remain vigilant towards peace in all matters concerning each other.”
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Ronnie Holland was Dublin’s first Poet Laureate (PL), serving a two-year community volunteer position from May 2008-May 2010. Ronnie began writing poetry in high school. Her degree in English from California State University Hayward/East Bay included studies with Mark Strand (U.S. Poet Laureate 1990-1991) and Timothy Steele. She draws inspiration from folklore, mythology, the environment, relationships and travels. She has been published in anthologies including Best Poets of the 20th Century on Man & Environment 1975, Peopled Parables, and in the (first) 2009 California Poets Laureate Anthology entitled Sometimes in the Open. She wrote two poems for Dublin dedications and one for Hope Hospice’s “Lights of the Valley,” completed two chapbooks* in the first half of 2009, was a finalist in Common Ground Review’s Tenth Annual Poetry Contest (2009), and first honorable mention in the California Federation of Chaparral Poets’ 2009 Annual Contest. To see a selection of Ronnie’s poems, click here. *A chapbook is a booklet, usually 25 pages or less, of poetry by one author, published by small presses or writers. |
Contact Us
Contact Jonnie about the poet laureate program or to receive emails about events: poetlaureate@ci.dublin.ca.us or (925) 452-2105.
Upcoming Events
Dublin
None at this time.
Regional Events
Events hosted by other poets laureate and literary groups will be listed here as they are announced.
- Livermore
- Pleasanton
- Pleasanton Poetry, Prose & Arts Festival -- details at: http://www.pleasantonarts.org/special_events.html
Prior Events
- 4/17-18 2010 Pleasanton Poetry, Prose & the Arts Festival
- 3/23/2010 Haiku Workshop with Jerry Ball
- 3/14/2010 All this and Valona too!
- 3/13-14 2010 Spoken Word Corner & Open Mic with Ronnie Holland, St Patrick’s Day Festival
- 12/03/09: Ronnie presented a new poem for the second time at Hope Hospice's Lights of the Valley Dublin event. Click here to download the event flyer
- 10/04/09: "Three Muses" Poetry Event: Dublin’s Poet Laureate, Ronnie Holland, invites you to be inspired by three poets who tap deeply into the rhythm of life, healing and mystic traditions. Click here to download the event flyer.
- 8/23/09: Dublin's Three Humors Poetry Event Relive the event on YouTube Click here to download the event flyer.
- 1/18/09: Dublin's Inaugural Poetry Event featured poets Rebecca Foust and Jeff Knorr Click here to download the event flyer.
News
Links
Tri-Valley Poets Laureate:
- Jonnie McCoy Howell, Dublin [ e-mail ]
- Cher Wollard, Livermore 2009-2011 [ e-mail ]
- Deborah Grossman, Pleasanton 2009-2011 [ e-mail ]
- Nancy J Fraze, Danville 2008-2010 [ e-mail ]
- Ronnie Holland, Poet Laureate Emerita of Dublin 2008-2010 [ e-mail ]
- Connie Post, Poet Laureate Emerita of Livermore 2005-2009 [ e-mail ]
- Martha Meltzer, Poet Laureate Emerita of Pleasanton 2007-2009 [ e-mail ]
California Poets Laureate
Literary Links
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a poet laureate?
It is an honorary title, originating from the ancient Greeks practice of crowning their artists and athletes with laurels. Poet laureate programs vary by locale, with poets serving a tradition of advancing the knowledge and enjoyment of literary arts through public readings, education and community events.
The position of poet laureate began in the middle ages in England, when Ben Jonson received that honor in 1616. Remarkably, California had the first poet laureate in the U.S., honoring Ina Donna Coolbrith in 1915 through 1928. Forty states have state poets laureate.
The United States adopted the idea of a national poet laureate in 1937, officially called "Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress," then to "Poet Laureate consultant in Poetry" in 1986. In fall 2008, Northern California poet Kay Ryan succeeded Charles Simic as the 16th U.S. poet laureate.
California, and the greater Bay Area in particular, has had rapidly growing laureate programs. The nine-county area has more than half of the state's local (county, district or city) poets laureate. In 2001 Governor Gray Davis created the official position for the State of California, with a specific term, clear public responsibilities, and stipend. Carol Muske-Dukes (2009-2011) is the current State of California poet laureate.
The City of Dublin appointed Jonnie McCoy-Howell as their second Poet Laureate in 2010. It is a two-year community volunteer position.
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Related links:
- Wikipedia entry on history and list of all U.S. Poets Laureate
- California website of poets laureate photographs
- 7/17/08: Poet Kay Ryan is named (U.S.) poet laureate
