The Poetry Society of Oklahoma had its beginning the ninth day of February, 1934 in the library of the YWCA in Oklahoma City. About thirty poets came together in response to a newspaper request made by Zoe Tilghman who worked as a literary editor for a newspaper. The group approved Mrs. Tilghman's plan for a State Poetry Society. A month later the participants elected officers. They chose Mrs. Tilghman as their first President.

The Poetry Society of Oklahoma currently has 100+ members and growing. Members gather from towns and cities all over the state for lunch meetings at various restaurants in Oklahoma City. They meet in January, March, July, and October. The meeting in May was waived so that members may attend the the Annual Youth Awards Ceremony in April. New officers are elected and installed in October.

PSO holds annual contests for its members. It includes a variable number of contests depending on sponsorships by members. It culminates in the Awards Banquet at the March meeting.

PSO has sponsored annual youth contests since 1969. Students from schools all over the state compete. An Awards Ceremony is held in April for the winners, and a Youth Poet Laureate is chosen.

Through the efforts of long-time member Elizabeth Totten of Ponca City, the twenty- fifth Legislature of Oklahoma adopted October fifteenth as Poetry Day in Oklahoma. PSO has celebrated that day since the law was enacted on May tenth, 1955.

PSO affiliated with NFSPS in 1971. It hosted National Conventions in 1968 and 1989.

A permanent collection of books published by Oklahoma poets is kept in the Treasure Room at Oklahoma City University. Members are urged to contribute their published volumes and are invited to view the collection by appointment.

*Submitted by D. R. Gorrell
Historian, Poetry Society of Oklahoma