THE JESSIE BRYCE NILES CHAPBOOK AWARD
EdItor EmerIta and co-founder of The Comstock Review, Kathleen Bryce Niles-Overton, chose to honor her grandmother with a significant prize—$1,000 and publication—for an outstanding chapbook-sized collection of poetry. Though no longer an endowment, the award, now supported by our readers and subscribers, continues to honor Jessie Bryce Niles’ legacy in odd-numbered years.
Jessie Bryce Niles (1876-1955) was a remarkable woman who overcame hardship with grace, intelligence and perseverance. Born into a wealthy family in Trinidad, West Indies, her situation changed when her parents died and archaic British laws of primogeniture left her impoverished. She emigrated to the U.S. in 1910, was married and gave birth to her only child, Nesbit Bryce Niles. After divorcing, Jessie raised her son alone.
Being well educated and well spoken wasn’t enough to overcome prejudice of the day against women and skin color. Necessity forced Jessie into menial jobs. Microscopic work in a silk mill caused serious vision loss. She worked in people’s homes and cooked in a church rectory. When the stove blew up, searing her face and hair, she was simply bandaged and given a few days to heal.
Jessie overcame daunting setbacks and never lost her strength of character. She purchased two homes and used her skills to help others. She became the “lawyer” for her immigrant Italian and Polish neighbors, helping them with forms, legalities and the ways of the United States. When she died in 1955 at age 78, she knew she was loved, respected and revered. The Comstock Review is proud to join her granddaughter in honoring this legacy.