About the Author: Joy Harjo is a poet, playwright, and musician, and is currently serving her second term as the first Native American United States Poet Laureate. Harjo's writing focuses on feminism and social justice, often incorporating Indigenous values, symbols, and myths into her writing. A proud member of The Muscogee Creek Nation, Harjo has kept close to her roots, and her poetry shows the beautiful connection she has to her Indigenous heritage.



About the Moderator: Cindy Hohl (Santee Sioux) is the President of the American Indian Library Association and she works as the Director of Branch Operations at the Kansas City Public Library. She also serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the Joint Council of Librarians of Color and she holds a MBA degree from Baker University and a BA in Organizational Management and Leadership degree from Friends University. As an ALA Spectrum Scholar, she represents Indigenous Librarianship, and she is passionate about Indigenous Knowledge, leadership, literacy, and lifelong learning.

About the Series: The PBS Books Trailblazing American Women Writers Project’s goal is to highlight incredible women authors and their accomplishments as part of our ongoing celebration of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, supported in part by a contribution from the National Endowment for the Arts. PBS Books will release a video highlighting our honored guest after the event to further promote her life and work. We hope to use technology and media to increase access to her work, reach new audiences and encourage dialogue about these writers while inspiring young trailblazers.