Passion or Profession: poet, feminist

Period: 1910–1992

Known as “Aunt Jo,” Elsenhout did not begin publishing poetry until over the age of 50 and wrote her poems exclusively in Sranan Tongo. She also worked to support Suriname’s black women’s movement, a position reflected in many of her works. Elsenhout traveled abroad to recite her poems, some of which have been translated into foreign languages. The library of Suriname’s National Women’s Movement is named after her.