Novelist and Poet Marge Piercy at Burchfield Penney: March 3

Renowned poet and novelist Marge Piercy will read excerpts from her work and answer questions from the audience on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Piercy has published 17 novels, including the bestsellers Gone To Soldiers, Braided Lives, and The Longings of Women, along with 18 volumes of poetry and the critically acclaimed memoir Sleeping with Cats. Her work has been translated into 19 languages and her poetry has been anthologized more than 100 times.

Knopf recently published a paperback version of Piercy’s 18th book of poetry, The Hunger Moon. Her 19th book of poetry, Made in Detroit, is scheduled for release later in March.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, and now a resident of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Piercy is the recipient of four honorary doctorates. In addition to writing, Piercy has been involved in sweeping social movements through the years, including the Vietnam War, the women’s movement, and the civil rights movement. More recently, she was an active participant in the resistance to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ruth Goldman, assistant professor of communication, who arranged Piercy’s visit, studied Piercy’s work as an undergraduate English major.

“I have continued to find her work both moving and relevant,” said Goldman, who added she thought it would be extremely valuable for students and the community alike to meet the esteemed writer.    

“I learned that she was traveling from Cape Cod to Detroit and was looking for a speaking engagement along the way,” Goldman said. “It was perfect timing.”

Buffalo State’s School of Arts and Humanities, Communication Department, English Department, Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Women and Gender Studies Program, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center all worked together to support Piercy’s visit. Other community sponsors include Just Buffalo Literary Center, Canisius College Women and Gender Studies Program, D’Youville College Department of Liberal Arts, the University at Buffalo English Department and Transnational Studies/Global Gender Studies Department, and Congregation Havurah.

For more information, contact Goldman at (716) 878-4714.