National Humanities Award Recipients
WASHINGTON, DC (October 21, 2024) — President Joe Biden awarded the 2022 and 2023 National Humanities Medals to several distinguished individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impact on American culture and the humanities. Among the honorees were poet Joy Harjo, writer Juan Felipe Herrera, and scholar and publisher Nicolás Kanellos. Each of these recipients has significantly enriched the literary and cultural landscape of the United States, using their work to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and promote the rich diversity of American life. This article delves into their achievements and the importance of their work in poetry, literature, and Hispanic scholarship.
Joy Harjo
As the first Native American to serve as U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo has been a powerful advocate for Indigenous voices in American poetry and culture. Awarded the National Humanities Medal for her transformative work, Harjo has dedicated her career to amplifying the stories and histories of Native peoples. Her poetry, deeply rooted in her Mvskoke heritage, intertwines personal reflection, historical narratives, and Indigenous spirituality, offering readers a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and connection to the land.
Collections such as An American Sunrise (2019) illustrate Harjo’s ability to blend the past and present, reflecting on the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands while offering a message of hope and healing. During her tenure as Poet Laureate, she initiated Living Nations, Living Words, a digital project that highlighted Native American poets across the country, ensuring that their voices and perspectives were widely heard.
By honoring Harjo with the National Humanities Medal, President Biden recognized not only her literary achievements but also her lifelong commitment to raising the visibility of Indigenous stories, making her a cultural force for justice and representation.
Juan Felipe Herrera
Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Latino to serve as U.S. Poet Laureate, was also recognized with the National Humanities Medal for his outstanding contributions to American literature. A leading figure in Chicano literature, Herrera’s work blends personal experience with political activism, exploring themes of migration, identity, and the struggles of Latino communities. His poetic voice is both a reflection of his upbringing as the child of migrant farmworkers and a broader celebration of Latino culture in the United States.
Herrera’s body of work, which spans poetry, prose, and children’s literature, is marked by a commitment to social justice and inclusion. In 187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t Cross the Border (2007) and Notes on the Assemblage (2015), he captures the frustrations, hopes, and dreams of immigrant communities, giving voice to their resilience and struggles. During his term as Poet Laureate, he launched the La Casa de Colores project, inviting the public to contribute to a collective poem, emphasizing the importance of communal storytelling.
In receiving the National Humanities Medal, Herrera was recognized not only for his literary accomplishments but also for his efforts to bring Latino stories to the forefront of American cultural discourse.
Nicolás Kanellos
Nicolás Kanellos, a pioneer in the field of Hispanic literature and the founder of Arte Público Press, was awarded the National Humanities Medal for his groundbreaking work in preserving and promoting U.S. Hispanic literary heritage. Kanellos’ contributions as a scholar, editor, and publisher have been instrumental in ensuring that the voices of Latino writers and thinkers are recognized and celebrated across the United States.
Arte Público Press, established in 1979, has become the leading publisher of Hispanic literature in the U.S., giving a platform to authors such as Sandra Cisneros, Cristina García, and Luis Valdez. Kanellos has also spearheaded the Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage project, an initiative dedicated to rediscovering and preserving historical Hispanic writings, some dating back to the colonial period. This effort has been vital in expanding the scope of American literary history, integrating the overlooked contributions of Hispanic writers into the broader narrative.
In addition to his work as a publisher, Kanellos is a respected academic at the University of Houston, where he has helped shape the field of Hispanic literature and mentored countless students. His recognition with the National Humanities Medal affirms the importance of his lifelong dedication to bringing Hispanic voices to the forefront of American culture.
The 2022 and 2023 National Humanities Medals, presented by President Biden, honor Joy Harjo, Juan Felipe Herrera, and Nicolás Kanellos for their profound contributions to American literature and culture. Through poetry, scholarship, and publishing, these individuals have amplified voices that might otherwise have been marginalized, promoting greater inclusivity in the national narrative. Their work reminds us of the transformative power of the humanities to shape our understanding of history, identity, and community, and their recognition underscores the importance of diverse stories in fostering a more inclusive society.
Joy Harjo
As the first Native American to serve as U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo has been a powerful advocate for Indigenous voices in American poetry and culture. Awarded the National Humanities Medal for her transformative work, Harjo has dedicated her career to amplifying the stories and histories of Native peoples. Her poetry, deeply rooted in her Mvskoke heritage, intertwines personal reflection, historical narratives, and Indigenous spirituality, offering readers a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and connection to the land.
Collections such as An American Sunrise (2019) illustrate Harjo’s ability to blend the past and present, reflecting on the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands while offering a message of hope and healing. During her tenure as Poet Laureate, she initiated Living Nations, Living Words, a digital project that highlighted Native American poets across the country, ensuring that their voices and perspectives were widely heard.
By honoring Harjo with the National Humanities Medal, President Biden recognized not only her literary achievements but also her lifelong commitment to raising the visibility of Indigenous stories, making her a cultural force for justice and representation.
Juan Felipe Herrera
Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Latino to serve as U.S. Poet Laureate, was also recognized with the National Humanities Medal for his outstanding contributions to American literature. A leading figure in Chicano literature, Herrera’s work blends personal experience with political activism, exploring themes of migration, identity, and the struggles of Latino communities. His poetic voice is both a reflection of his upbringing as the child of migrant farmworkers and a broader celebration of Latino culture in the United States.
Herrera’s body of work, which spans poetry, prose, and children’s literature, is marked by a commitment to social justice and inclusion. In 187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t Cross the Border (2007) and Notes on the Assemblage (2015), he captures the frustrations, hopes, and dreams of immigrant communities, giving voice to their resilience and struggles. During his term as Poet Laureate, he launched the La Casa de Colores project, inviting the public to contribute to a collective poem, emphasizing the importance of communal storytelling.
In receiving the National Humanities Medal, Herrera was recognized not only for his literary accomplishments but also for his efforts to bring Latino stories to the forefront of American cultural discourse.
Nicolás Kanellos
Nicolás Kanellos, a pioneer in the field of Hispanic literature and the founder of Arte Público Press, was awarded the National Humanities Medal for his groundbreaking work in preserving and promoting U.S. Hispanic literary heritage. Kanellos’ contributions as a scholar, editor, and publisher have been instrumental in ensuring that the voices of Latino writers and thinkers are recognized and celebrated across the United States.
Arte Público Press, established in 1979, has become the leading publisher of Hispanic literature in the U.S., giving a platform to authors such as Sandra Cisneros, Cristina García, and Luis Valdez. Kanellos has also spearheaded the Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage project, an initiative dedicated to rediscovering and preserving historical Hispanic writings, some dating back to the colonial period. This effort has been vital in expanding the scope of American literary history, integrating the overlooked contributions of Hispanic writers into the broader narrative.
In addition to his work as a publisher, Kanellos is a respected academic at the University of Houston, where he has helped shape the field of Hispanic literature and mentored countless students. His recognition with the National Humanities Medal affirms the importance of his lifelong dedication to bringing Hispanic voices to the forefront of American culture.
The 2022 and 2023 National Humanities Medals, presented by President Biden, honor Joy Harjo, Juan Felipe Herrera, and Nicolás Kanellos for their profound contributions to American literature and culture. Through poetry, scholarship, and publishing, these individuals have amplified voices that might otherwise have been marginalized, promoting greater inclusivity in the national narrative. Their work reminds us of the transformative power of the humanities to shape our understanding of history, identity, and community, and their recognition underscores the importance of diverse stories in fostering a more inclusive society.
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