Celebrating Kingston Women

an International Women's Week event

Celebrate and uplift the achievements of women in our community at this vibrant evening of art, performances, and story sharing. Bring the whole family - kids' activities included. All are welcome!

Drop in to celebrate the achievements of women in our community at an inspiring evening of art, performances, and story sharing.

Halal food and other refreshments will be served at 4:30 PM along with time to socialize and explore the art on display. There will be children's activities throughout the evening.

The main program begins at 5:30 PM and features musical and dance performances as well as Indigenous story sharing and drumming.

A quiet prayer room available for those observing Ramadan.

Presented in partnership with Kingston Interval House, Kingston Immigration Partnership, Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest, Trellis HIV Community Care, Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston, Sexual Assault Centre Kingston, Kingston Anti-Violence Advisory Council, and Resolve Counselling Services Canada.

Supported by the Kingston Frontenac Anti-Violence Coordinating Committee and the Friends of the Library.

Performers feature the following:

Lynda Gerow, Program Manager of the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest (KNCLN), will open the gathering with story sharing in connection to women, girls, and Two Spirit peoples, grounding the space in reflection, strength, and lived experience.

Yessica Rivera Belsham (Ocelopacihuatl), Community Care Manager at KNCLN, will share a song with a traditional drum honouring Mother Earth and all women. The song will be accompanied by the St. Pierre Fancy Shawl Dancers, whose movement carries resilience, beauty, and the enduring strength of Indigenous women.

V. Ophelia Rigault, MEd, is an inclusion strategist, keynote speaker, and joy activist who brings over 15 years of expertise in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Ophelia will deliver a keynote speech using lived experience, and truth telling to challenge audiences to lead with courage, accountability, and joy.

Afro Mama Rythmées a été formé en 2024 à Kingston par un groupe de mères francophones unies par une passion commune pour la danse africaine et les rythmes du monde. Le collectif vise à célébrer la diversité culturelle, à transmettre la richesse des traditions africaines et à créer des moments de partage, d’énergie et de joie à travers chaque prestation. Afro Mama Rythmées apporte vitalité, authenticité et esprit communautaire à chacune de ses apparitions. Parmi nous il y a les enseignantes, les éducatrices, les travailleuses sociales etc.

Afro Mama Rythmées was formed in 2024 in Kingston by a group of Francophone mothers united by a shared passion for African dance and world rhythms. The collective aims to celebrate cultural diversity, share the richness of African traditions, and create moments of connection, energy, and joy through each performance. Afro Mama Rythmées brings vitality, authenticity, and a community spirit to every appearance. Among us are teachers, educators, social workers, and more.

Sadiqa de Meijer is Katarokwi/Kingston's Poet Laureate, and an award-winning writer of poetry and essays. Her upcoming poetry collection is called In Qaf’s People and is available for pre-order. One of her favourite words in her first language is leeshonger (lays-hong-er) which means a hunger to read.

Inna Leshchuk is an Honored Artist of Ukraine. She was a soloist in a military orchestra for more than 10 years. She is a vocal teacher at the Music Academy. She is a member of the jury of international competitions in Italy, Austria, Bulgaria and Canada.

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