MacArthur grant-winner uses her $500,000 award to send dedicated caregivers on vacation

MacArthur grant-winner uses her $500,000 award to send dedicated caregivers on vacation
(Image credit: Courtesy of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)

What do you do when you're suddenly awarded half a million dollars? Seattle poet Heather McHugh toyed with that question for two years after winning the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" in 2009.

The money comes with no strings attached, but McHugh knew she didn't want to spend it on herself.

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Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.