As I wrote last year, Seattle poet Joan Swift was an inspiration to many poets — particularly writers who were older or otherwise outside what's perceived to be the so-called literary mainstream. So it's fitting that Poetry Northwest created a prize in her memory that honors those writers. And today, they've announced the Joan Swift Memorial Prize's very first recipient:

The editors of Poetry Northwest are pleased to announce the recipient of the first ever Joan Swift Memorial Prize, awarded to a woman poet, 65 or older, currently residing in the Pacific Northwest. The winner is Anne Griffin, of Portland, OR. Her poem, “My Father, Leaving,” receives $500, and will appear in the Summer & Fall 2018 issue of Poetry Northwest.

Congratulations to Griffin! We look forward to this prize spotlighting the work of older women poets for many years to come.