| Sharon Warden, poet, musician and visual artist, was born in Lansing, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Political Science. Later, she went on to pursue her education certification in elementary education and special education. She subsequently taught in public and private schools in those areas of specialization. The remainder of her work years were spent with the State of Michigan, retiring from there as a Social Services Specialist in 1996. Currently, she makes her home in North Port, Florida. Sharon has been writing poetry since she was a small child; however, the bulk of her writing has been done since 2001 when, nudged by the urgency to "set her creative writings in order to pass on to her children", she began rewriting and revamping her poems in her collection, began to write anew, joining the North Port Poetry Workshop, the North Port Writing Group and many online poetry groups.and participating in Venice Voices, a group that meets weekly at Books-A-Million, Venice, FL. Recently, she has been regularly participating in area "open mic" poetry events (Stir the Soul Coffee Shop, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble-Sarasota, Manatee Community College, Venice campus). Besides writing and performing poetry, Ms. Warden is actively involved in her community, volunteering at Quality Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility as a musician; member of the North Port Kitchen Band, a non-profit organization that brings fun, cheer and laughs to local groups with all monies going to the North Port Social Services Department for food for the needy, working as musician and helper in the Children for Jesus program, Trinity United Methodist Church, North Port, transporting vegetables and sundry items to three area food banks and assisting the Hidden Treasures consignment shop in the distribution of donations. She also participates in the Drum Circle at Nokomis Beach, Florida. The loves of Sharon's life, her children and grandchildren, are scattered all over the United States: Michigan, West Virginia, California and Florida. "If you only knew today what is needed for peace. But now you cannot see it." Jesus, Luke 19 |