Portland Resident Named State Poet Laureate

Elizabeth Woody, a poet who splits her time between Portland and Warm Springs where she is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, as the state's new poet laureate.

It is a two-year term.

"The energy of Elizabeth Woody's words bring to life the landscapes, creatures and people who make Oregon special," Governor Brown said.

"As Poet Laureate, she will be a great asset to our state, using vivid storytelling to help us understand who we are as a larger community."

Woody, who was born on the Navajo Nation reservation in Ganado, Arizona, has lived in Oregon for most of her life.

She has published several books of poetry and short fiction and has been honored with an American Book Award and the William Stafford Memorial Award.