Madison mayor appoints city’s first Latina poet laureate

MADISON, Wis. —  Madison’s Common Council voted to support Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s appointment of Angela Trudell Vasquez as the city’s next poet laureate this week.

According to a city of Madison news release, Trudell Vasquez will be the seventh poet selected for the volunteer position, making her the first-ever Latina to serve as the city’s poet laureate.

Madison Arts Commission made their recommendation based on Trudell Vasquez’s productivity as a public poet, community and youth education, as well as her literary accomplishments. 

Trudell Vasquez will hold the position for about two years beginning Jan. 20.

Her first reading as Madison’s poet laureate will be held at A Room of One’s Own Bookstore on Feb. 6.