AWP’s Board of Directors recognizes Maria Mazziotti Gillan with the 2014 George Garrett Award for Outstanding Community Service in Literature. Judith Baumel, outgoing President of AWP, honored Gillan’s achievements: “She is director of Binghamton University’s Creative Writing Program, has established two book awards in honor of John Gardner and Milt Kessler, and she founded the Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College. She has edited four literary anthologies concerning ethnicity in America, has published eighteen books, and is otherwise known as a champion of diversity in American literature.”

“Long before the term ‘multi-cultural’ was common, Maria understood literature’s power to express and explore complex identity,” said Baumel. “She is a tireless fighter for writers and writing, she is a champion of social justice, and she is an exceptionally generous spirit.”

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Each year, AWP welcomes nominations for the George Garrett Award for Outstanding Community Service in Literature. Consult our award guidelines for more information. Award recipients are selected by AWP's Board of Directors.