Jessica Lawrence, hailing from Washington DC, has carved out a career that spans both the creative and medical fields. Her background, enriched by a jazz musician and entrepreneur father and a multilingual, literature-loving mother, has significantly shaped her diverse interests and skills.
In the sphere of arts, Lawrence's poetry frequently addresses themes of environmental consciousness and the intricacies of human relationships, a reflection of her detailed observations of the natural and urban environments. Her life experiences, influenced by living in multiple cities including Washington DC, New York, Montreal, and London, and a formative period on a Kibbutz during the Yom Kippur War, have infused her artistic work with a broad cultural perspective. This background informs her poetry, which often explores the tension between humans and nature and delves into the complexities of interpersonal relationships.
Lawrence's contributions to the arts are not limited to poetry. Her visual artistry, showcased in her role as a featured artist and writer in the PEN 66 Newsletter, includes a range of mediums such as drawing, painting, and sketching. Her art, much like her poetry, draws inspiration from her personal experiences and travels.
Separate from her artistic pursuits, Lawrence has an extensive background in nursing and health education. She trained as a nurse in Albany, NY, in 1978 and has since been instrumental in developing educational programs that fuse arts and sciences, particularly focusing on teen pregnancy and sexual health. Additionally, she has been involved in training emergency responders and establishing support programs for bereaved parents. Her personal health challenges, including a battle with cancer, have informed her advocacy for patient rights and have significantly shaped her contributions to the field of Medical Anthropology.
Holding a BA in Creative Writing and Literature and an MSc in Medical Anthropology, Lawrence exemplifies a commitment to interdisciplinary learning. Her body of work, spanning creative expression and practical health initiatives, demonstrates her dedication to addressing critical societal issues through both her artistic and professional endeavors.