Mary Ann Mulhern

Mary Ann Mulhern is an award-winning poet and is currently serving as Windsor’s poet laureate for the term of 2019 to 2022.

Mulhern’s narrative style of poetry lends itself well to the position of Windsor’s poet

laureate.  During the course of her tenure, she will commemorate significant moments and events in Windsor through poetic works. She will also host the popular annual event, Poetry at the Manor, held at Willistead Manor in Walkerville. In addition to this, Mulhern teaches a poetry course for seniors at the University of Windsor and offers guidance to blossoming artists and poets.

Mulhern’s poetic inspirations come from lived experiences and from local stories that pull at her emotions. Her first book of poetry, The Red Dress (2003), as well as its sequel, Brides in Black (2010), offer reflections of living 8 years in a convent during the 1960s. Touch the Dead (2006) is a collection of poems about growing up in a house at the edge of a cemetery in St. Thomas, Ontario, while When Angels Weep (2008) was inspired by her research into the sexual abuse charges against a local priest, Father Charles Sylvestre. All 9 of her books are published with Black Moss Press, a company owned by her mentor and Windsor’s poet laureate emeritus, Marty Gervais.

Mulhern began writing poetry in 2001 during a summer session offered at the University of Windsor.  Her poem, “Freedom’s Trial,” about famed Underground Railroad conductor, Harriet Tubman, won first prize at the Freedom Festival Poetry Contest. Her work caught the attention of Gervais who helped to develop her poetic voice. Mulhern earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education degree at the University of Windsor, as well as a teaching diploma and associate degree in music from the University of Western Ontario (now Western University).  Before becoming a poet, Mulhern was a teacher with the Windsor Separate School Board from 1975 to 1995.

Sources:

Caton, Mary. “City council names new poets laureate.” Windsor Star, 26 March 2019.

Kotsis, Julie. “University students help publish, launch two books of poetry.” Windsor Star, 1 April 2018.

“Mary Ann Mulhern.” Black Moss Press (n.d.).

“Mary Ann Mulhern.” City of Windsor (n.d.).

“Mary Ann Mulhern: Biography.” Poetry in Voice (n.d.).