Governor Hobbs appoints second ever Arizona Poet Laureate
Feb. 19
Governor Katie Hobbs announced the appointment of Dr. Laura Tohe as Poet Laureate for the state of Arizona.
Established in 2012, the Poet Laureate inspires the emerging generation of literary artists and educates Arizonans about poets and authors who have influenced the state through their art.
Dr. Tohe is the second-ever Poet Laureate in Arizona’s history. Before her new role, the Diné poet previously served as Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation for four years. She joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss her new role.
“I think the Poet Laureate came from the Greeks who used to honor individuals in their community that excelled in various ways,” Dr. Tohe said, “…they would make this Laurel out of the laurel plant, and put it on their head, and I think that’s where the U.S. eventually adopted that.”
While Poet Laureates do vary by state, Dr. Tohe, who is representing Arizona, is interested in working with communities that are rural and small. Dr. Tohe had grown up in one herself, being from the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.
“I know what it’s like to be…in a rural place where you don’t have access to poetry, or libraries,” Dr. Tohe explained, “…so I know there are communities like that in Arizona, and I will be outreaching to some of those communities…also educating people on poetry.”
Dr. Tohe hopes to bring poetry to the community to showcase some of the work that Arizona poets have completed, as she believes it is important to shed light on these stories.
“I grew up among storytellers,” Dr. Tohe said, “…I mostly write in free verse…my work as a poet has branched out…so a Poet Laureate, the way I define it…it branches out into many things. It’s working with words, and literature, and language…for me, poetry is a passion.”
