Award-winning poet Gabriela Medina will be presenting her work at the Slam Poet event in Founder’s at 9 p.m on March 28th.
During the event, Medina will present several of her poems, both light-hearted and serious, based on her Hispanic background and how one can overcome social injustices.
Medina said that her poetry is “an extension of me.”
“We thought having Gabriela Medina perform would be good for Confidence Coalition month because she talks about women empowerment,” said Katie Squier, Co-President of Union Board. “She wants girls to have a good self-image.”
Medina writes poetry in a style known as spoken word. When she presents her work, it is emotional and similar to a musician singing a song, with many hand gestures and body movements, according to Squier.
In 2009 alone, Medina was named the Spoken Word Performer of the Year and nominated for Best Small Venue Performer and Performer of the Year by various organizations.
The international poet’s work is currently featured on a Dove Oil Cream Body Wash commercial, and she has appeared on poetry pilot shows for both NBC and MTV.
“We like to bring a variety of acts to campus other than musicians and comedians in order to appeal to a wider audience,” said Union Board Co-President Katie McLaughlin.
The event was made possible by Union Board and both the English and Women’s Studies departments.
(Meagan Steed / s13.msteed@wittenberg.edu)
