An Interview with Melissa Whiteford St. Clair

New art adventures can begin at any point in life. Melissa Whiteford St. Clair found her voice through poetry after 30 years as a military spouse. This written/spoken artform enables her to promote social advocacy and expose racial injustice.

MilspoFAN: Tell us a little about yourself, your journey as a military spouse, and where you are today.

Melissa: Growing up a stone’s throw from the Mason-Dixon Line in Whiteford, Maryland, I married my high school sweetheart and for the next 30 years, home was where the U.S. Marine Corps sent us. Putting down roots in South Carolina, our first civ div chapter started in Beaufort, SC, a place of historical juxtaposition, before moving to the Upstate region of South Carolina.

It's taken me 50 years to find my voice, and I must attribute being set on the path for social justice and the gift from God of poetry for helping me gain it. There were factors that led to me being quiet, which took some years to work through. I was an only child in a rural area, so my day-to-day and play were primarily self-entertainment. I worked as a medical office professional before and after marrying my U.S. Marine, so my work environment was one of confidentiality and HIPAA (health insurance portability and accountability act); and military life revolved around OPSEC (operational security) and PERSEC (personal security).

MilspoFAN: How did you become a poet?

Melissa: I found myself emotionally affected by the rise in social injustice in our country, and with George Floyd’s murder as the catalyst, I dedicated myself to learning more about racism. While participating in the course “On The Matter of Race: White People Committed to Beginning the Journey Together,” led by Dr. Lynne Maureen Hurdle, poetry became a processing mechanism for my thoughtful reflections and responses to homework assignments through verse.

MilspoFAN: Describe for us your creative process, activism, and how that influences what you write.

Melissa: My creativity is sparked in several ways. I cultivate creativity through my study on the matter of race and working through issues, but am also prompted by current and world events, seeing a disturbing meme, reading, listening to other poets, or reflecting on an historical occurrence or history maker, like Harriet Tubman, from the past. Typically, the poem will wake me up, or words commence at bedtime keeping me awake, so I keep a journal by my bedside to catch them.

Harriet Tubman – *The Journey To Freedom* sculpture by Wesley Wofford at the Frampton Plantation Visitors Center

I became involved with the Community Remembrance Project of Greenville, SC (working in tandem with the Equal Justice Initiative EJI in Montgomery, AL) confronting the history of racial terror in Greenville, SC. As a member of their Leadership Team, I have participated in soil collection at sites pinpointed by the Research Committee of past lynchings, and the cleaning of soil for public Soil Ceremonies, where I have also been afforded the opportunity to share my poetry.

MilspoFAN: How do you cultivate your creativity?

Melissa: I attend poetry writing workshops and use poetry challenges to sharpen my writing. I also call on a diverse group of mentors for counsel.

Poetry workshop at the Pat Conroy Literary Center presented by Glenis Redmond, first Poet Laureate of Greenville, SC

A lifelong learner, I seek out Black/history tours whenever I travel to expand my knowledge of history. Information gained also provides content for writing poetry and blogs.

A history tour by horse-drawn carriage in Lexington, VA led to the blog, “Amy, Hetty, George, Cyrus, and Emma.”

MilspoFAN: How do you meet other artists or plug into the local arts scene?

Melissa: The Upstate has a thriving arts scene. I joined the local arts council as they opened membership to performing artists. I take advantage of local open mic and virtual open mic opportunities.

MilspoFAN: What’s next for you?

Melissa: This journey for social justice is a God-led ministry for me. Receiving the gift of poetry as a processing mechanism and sharing the words publicly at the encouragement of friends and family is a calling I never imagined.

I actively seek ways to share my story and advocacy through poetry with works of poetry, open mic, poetry readings, published poems, interactive talks, and workshops combining arts + advocacy.