Mexican-American writer, Jennifer Clement, elected first woman president to lead PEN International
*Great news! A prestegious, deserving choice. VL
Quebec City – PEN International’s Assembly of Delegates has elected renowned Mexican writer, Jennifer Clement, as the president of the organization at the 81st PEN International Congress. Jennifer Clement is the first woman writer to be elected to the post.
Upon her election Jennifer Clement said: ‘Thank you to all of you. Everyone is saying congratulations. But this is not a prize, it’s not an award. It’s an act of trust. I hope that I am worthy of your trust.’
Jennifer Clement grew up in Mexico City, Mexico. She studied English Literature and Anthropology at New York University and also studied French Literature in Paris, France. She has an MFA from the University of Southern Maine. Clement is fluent in both Spanish and English and has studied French.
From 2009 to 2012, Clement was president of PEN Mexico and her work focused on the disappearance and killing of journalists. Her writing and activism represent a lifelong commitment to honouring those silenced by gender, class and race.
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[Photo courtesy of PEN International]
