Francine Ringold, Editor-in-chief of Nimrod International Journal of Poetry and Prose and Director of the History/Literature Project for Nimrod, was named Oklahoma’s presiding Poet Laureate 2003-2005, by Governor Brad Henry in June.

Ringold won the Oklahoma Book Award in 1996 for her volume of poetry, The Trouble with Voices; Every Other One, with poet Manly Johnson, was a finalist for that award. She is also the winner of a Pinnacle Award, and a Newsmaker Award from Women in Communications.

Specializing in gerontology for the past several years, her volume of writing exercises, drawing, and physical exercises, Making Your Own Mark, co-authored with Madeline Rugh, Ph.D., is still being used and distributed nationally. Her play, Mercy a historical drama, after an extended tour, was one of eighteen historical recreations presented at a national Chautauqua conference held in Minnesota under the auspices of the National Endowment for the Humanities. She has also performed in the Tulsa Chautauqua as the historic dancer, Isadora Duncan. For six years, Ringold produced and was featured in radio programs in the Humanities on KWGS-FM, NPR.

Ringold has, for the past 40 years, taught creative writing and spoken about the enlivening role of creativity in schools and universities and in communities across the country. She proudly boasts of four children and four grandchildren.