Plough Quarterly Announces Annual Award in Honor of BHCC Distinguished Artist and Scholar in Residence Rhina P. Espaillat

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Plough Quarterly announced the first annual Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry Award in honor of the achievements of the Dominican-American poet and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Distinguished Artist and Scholar in Residence. Plough Quarterly is an award-winning international magazine of faith, culture, and society.

The Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry Award will be awarded for an original poem that reflects Espaillat’s lyricism, empathy, and ability to find grace in everyday events. Submissions will be accepted through March 30, 2021.

Winners will be announced this summer 2021. The winning poet will receive a two thousand dollar award and the poem will be published in Plough Quarterly. Two finalists will also be selected for publication in Plough Quarterly and will receive a $250 award. 

Espaillat, a former New York City public school teacher, has devoted her time in retirement to writing poetry, short stories, and essays in both English and Spanish, translating between both languages, running workshops for students and adults, and serving as visiting poet at colleges and other cultural centers. 

A founding member of the Melopoeia trio and member of the quintet known as The Diminished Prophets, Espaillat has served as the College’s Distinguished Artist and Scholar in Residence since fall 2019, leading workshops, readings, and melodic performances that examine the power of words and the ability of art to both enrich and transform lives. Read more about Espaillat’s residency.

View submission guidelines for the Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry Award on Plough Quarterly.