August 2018

Gabriela Mistral

July 2018

Julia Randall

May 2018

Leonie Adams

Edna St. Vincent Millay

The idea of paying tribute to our foremother poets is not new, but the specific idea of collecting such tributes originated on the WOMPO listserv pioneered by Annie Finch in December 1997.

Here is the original introduction from the original WOMPO website (now defunct).

Wompo is a listserv devoted to the discussion of Women’s Poetry. Membership is open to all individuals who are interested in discussing poetry written by women. Information about joining the discussion can be found here.

Wompo members also sponsor Foremothers, women poets no longer alive whose work has inspired and encouraged members. Biographical information and sample poems about Foremothers are available. Please send email if you are interested in sponsoring a Foremother.

Beginning May 2018, I am reviving this tradition on The Literary Nest.  To kick off the series, I have reprinted the very first write up by Annie Finch posted to the WOMPO website.

Every few weeks,  I will post a new foremother write up. To submit to this feature please follow the format used in this write-up and send it to theliterarynest@gmail.com with the subject line “Foremother.”