Jessi Atherton at the University of Dubuque -- November 11.
Tuesday, November 11, 6:30 p.m.
University of Dubuque's Multicultural Student Center, 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque IA
A reading, discussion, and Q&A with a noted psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, veteran, and poet will take place at the University of Dubuque's Multicultural Student Center on November 11, with Jessi Atherton the latest guest in the university's Archway Reading and Lecture Series.
Atherton’s writing touches on lived experiences and themes of motherhood, military, mental health, grief, healing, and humanity. She is a 2023 Pat Tillman Scholar and U.S. Army veteran who served as a logistics specialist with additional duties as a combat lifesaver in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Atherton received an honorable discharge after an injury in the country. Her first full collection of military poems, The Time War Takes, debuted in April of 2023 and received honorable mention in Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole Inaugural Biennial Award for Distinguished Book in Veterans Studies in 2024 and made Community of Literary Magazines and Presses must read for Women’s History Month in 2024. The collection of poetry explores themes of memory, resilience, and healing.
Atherton’s work has been published with Nodin Press, The Cuddy Foundation, Iliad Press, McGregor Publishing, the International Library of Poetry, and Middle West Press. She is a Minnesota Humanities Center 2019 Veterans Voices awardee, a member and facilitator of Warrior Writers, a board member of the League of Minnesota Poets, and the Minnesota Assistant Counsel for Veterans. A Minnesota-based mental health nurse who recently graduated as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Atherton is also active in veterans and women’s mental health as well as suicide prevention. Copies of her books will be available for purchase at the November 11 presentation, and the Archway Reading and Lecture Series is presented by the Office of Academic Affairs and Department of English at UD.
Jessi Atherton's program in the University of Dubuque's Multicultural Student Center will take place on November 11, participation in the 6:30 p.m. event is free, and more information is available by calling (563)589-3267 and visiting Dbq.edu.
