Poet Wins BMF Woman of the Year

Black Men's Forum (BMF) Woman of the Year Jessica Care Moore recited poems including "Black Girl Juice" and "The Words Don't Fit in My Mouth" at the forum's fifth annual "Celebration of Black Women" Friday evening.

Moore, a journalist who quit her job with Fox News to pursue writing, now has her own publishing company and has written a book.

The event drew about 135 women and 35 men to the Eliot House dining hall.

Black Men's Forum Vice President Peter-Charles N. "P.C." Bright '01-'02 said Moore's writing falls within a genre known as spoken word, "a more urban style of poetry."

"The themes of her poetry really center around womanhood and sisterhood and female identity," said Bright, who is also co-founder of the Spoken Word Society.

Moore asked the women present to stand and raise their fists for her piece, "Black Statue of Liberty," in what Bright described as "one of the most powerful images of the evening."

"She's our generation," Bright added. "She speaks the language of the times. It's real easy to connect with her."

"She's thinking openly and being openly herself, and pursuing a dream," Whitney R. Robinson '01 added.

Association of Black Harvard Women President Giselle J. Pinto '00 also praised the event.

"It was an honor to be in the presence of such a powerful and talented black woman," Pinto said.

At the end of the event, the BMF presented Moore with a plaque.

Janel A. Moore '00 and Thembi H. Ford '01 also read their poetry at the event.

The event began with a soul food dinner from caterer Bob the Chef's. BMF President Shearwood "Woody" McClelland '00 described the event's origins in 1995 as part of BMF's efforts to "celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of all black women."

"Throughout history, there has never been more a fearless, generous, resilient, talented, intelligent and beautiful specimen of humanity than the black woman," McClelland said. "Sadly, many black women have gone unnoticed and unappreciated."

Past honorees have included poet Gwendolyn Brooks and Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton, the first black woman to become board-certified in high-risk obstetrics--and McClelland's mother.

Last year the event was canceled when the designated honoree was unavailable.

As a result, this year, the celebration was expanded into two parts. In April, the BMF will hold a talent show to introduce the Woman of the Year for 2000, McClelland said.

"It is my fervent belief that each Harvard woman should have the opportunity to see four celebrations. That meant we had to work overtime, since the celebration was canceled last year," he said.