Poet Sonia Sanchez brings message of peace to Chestnut Hill
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<p>A woman leans in to take in the words of Philadelphia Poet Laureate, Sonia Sanchez. Around 100 people attended the free event. (Jana Shea/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Attendees listen to Sonia Snachez's words with rapt attention. (Jana Shea/for NewsWorks)</p>
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Sonia Sanchez (Jana Shea for WHYY)
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<p>The audience listening to Sonia Sanchez. (Jana Shea/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Philadelphia Poet Laureate, Sonia Sanchez, gave a reading in honor of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church some 64 years ago. (Jana Shea/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Philadelphia Poet Laureate, Sonia Sanchez. (Jana Shea/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Philadelphia's first Poet Laureate, Sonia Sanchez, read poems and shared stories at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill on Sunday. (Jana Shea/for NewsWorks)</p>
Chestnut Hill enjoyed an afternoon of listening to inspirational poetry and learning about the stories behind the words with Philadelphia’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Sonia Sanchez, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Sunday. She held a reading to commemorate a visit by Eleanor Roosevelt to the church some 64 years ago.
At that time, the former First Lady was presented with the first ever National Fellowship Award by the Philadelphia Fellowship Commission, a civil and human rights organization.
Sanchez mesmerized the nearly 100 attendees with poems that imbibed the messages of peace and social equality.
Equally compelling was Sanchez’ account of her tribulations and triumphs as a life-long educator and activist.
The author of more than 16 published books and recipient of numerous prestigious awards, Sanchez is the inspiration behind the Mural Arts and First Person Arts project titled, Peace is a Haiku Song. The program aims to use haiku form as a means of reflecting on peace. Philadelphians are encouraged to be a part of the interactive public art project through social media.
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