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ABOUT US

In May 1923, a small group of poets, desirous of fostering and stimulating an interest in poetry in the Commonwealth, met in the Chapel of the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary. There they drew up a constitution and bylaws for the organization and named it The Poetry Society of Virginia. They elected Dr. Charles N. Feidelson to serve as its first president. Since then, the Poetry Society of Virginia – through publications, readings by members and visiting poets, poetry events around the state, contests, workshops, in-school programs, poetry festivals, and other activities – has helped to advance the cause and appreciation of poetry throughout Virginia. Visiting poets have included Robert Frost, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Carl Sandburg, Richard Wilbur, Donald Hall, Charles Wright, and many others. Membership in the society has grown to over four hundred, with about fifteen percent from outside Virginia.

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The organization is instrumental in assisting the Governor of Virginia with the selection of Poet Laureate. An appointed committee makes recommendations to the organization’s elected President who then forwards nominations to the Governor for his final review and decision.

OUR MISSION

The Poetry Society of Virginia seeks to promote the writing and enjoyment of poetry through a wide range of programs and monthly events, offered in seven regions across Virginia. Please click here to view a map of the society's designated regions

When I sang, words stuck in my teeth like seeds.
Rows of scrubbed faces swiveled into mirrors…

 

Something smoldered behind the rooster mask
until the whole room filled with smoke. 

~Henry Hart

MEET OUR PRESIDENT

CherrylinBmoMay2023-transparent.png

​Cherryl T. Cooley ​is a branding, narrative and digital content expert. ​S​he has ​worked as a poet, journalist, marcomm manager,​ enterprise storyteller​,​ ​content experience designer​ and narrative strategist​ for government, corporations and nonprofits. As a poet, she and​ her work have been featured at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, Museum of Modern Art, in​ ​​Essence ​and ​​Poetry magazine​s​, and on The Oprah ​Show. She lives, works and loves from Northern Virginia, USA.​ Contact Cherryl at poetrysocietypresident@gmail.com.

Cherryl T. Cooley

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

David Anthony Sam 

           

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL VP

David Anthony Sam

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NORTHERN REGIONAL VP

Cathy Hailey

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NORTHWEST REGIONAL VP
John Berry

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CENTRAL REGIONAL VP

Joanna Lee

EASTERN REGIONAL VP
TBD​
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SOUTHEAST REGIONAL VP

Jorge Mendez

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WESTERN REGIONAL VP
Aidan C. Daniel

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TREASURER

Guy Terrell

 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

PSV ARCHIVIST

TBD

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MEMBERSHIP & ELECTIONS CHAIR

Gail Giewont

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FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

TBD

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PARLIAMENTARIAN

Joanna Lee

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PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR

Nathan Richardson

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SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR

Aidan C. Daniel

ADULT CONTESTS CHAIRS

Guy Terrell, John Berry

  • Submissions Manager:                  Derek Kannemeyer

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PSV ANNUAL FESTIVAL CHAIR

TBD

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PSV NORTH AMERICAN POETRY BOOK AWARD CHAIR

Sofia Starnes

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POETRY IN THE SCHOOLS

Jae Dyche

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PSV YOUNG POETS IN THE COMMUNITY

Cathy Hailey

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