More than 15 years ago spoken word artist, Patricia Smith, performed for the first time at the Green Mill in Chicago, Ill. On Monday, Smith will read selected performances and do a book signing from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

Eastern’s Women’s Studies Program welcomed the National Book Award finalist and four-time champion of the National Poetry Slam, to share her work, which has been featured in publications such as the The Paris Review, Tin House and Grant, as part of

Women’s History and Awareness Month (WHAM).

Smith, who is active in the fields of poetry, playwriting, fiction, performance and creative collaboration,

Smith is the author of nine books, ranging in genres from poetry, nonfiction, and children’s literature. Her children’s book, “Janna and the Kings,” was announced the Lee & Low Books New Voices Award winner.

Her most recent publication, “Shoulda Been Jimi Savannah,” a book of poetry published in 2013, explores Smith’s upbringing in Chicago and the second wave of the Great Migration by way of free verse, spoken word and traditional forms of poetry.

In series of poems, “Blood Dazzler,” Smith explored the emotional and environmental devastations of Hurricane Katrina – the deadliest hurricane during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.

In a 2007 interview with the National Book Foundation, shortly after “Blood Dazzler” was nominated for the National Book Award, Smith said she hope her poems would keep the events of Hurricane Katrina fresh in the minds of Americans.

“I want people to keep talking about it,” she said. “I also want people to be aware that the country we live in is capable of much.”

Joe McClean, the coordinator of the event, said Smith’s visit is an important day for WHAM.

McClean said her arrival is one the Women’s Studies Department has been looking forward to in regard to WHAM.

“Patricia Smith is a highly acclaimed author and poet,” he said before explaining that Smith’s arrival is one the department is “pulling out all the stops” for.

Katie Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or kesmith2@eiu.edu.