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 is 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.

Schedule of Events

4:30-5:30pm Refreshments, children’s activities, IWD activity, smudging

5:30pm Event Begins: Welcoming remarks

5:35pm Message from the library staff

5:40pm Land welcoming by Grandmother Kate

Ka’taroh:kwi is situated on the ancestral homeland of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Métis, Inuit, and other First Peoples across Turtle Island have also made their home here. The region’s diverse landscape nourished generations of different Indigenous Nations who walked on the land, hunted in the forest, and fished in the lakes. Kingston was included in the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant between Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee to share hunting territory. By comparing the land to a dish to be shared and cared for, Indigenous ancestors taught us the importance of peace-building, sustainability, and collaboration. As uninvited guests, we are grateful to grow our roots in the traditional territory of Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee, and to thrive on Indigenous Peoples’ generational caring for the Land.

5:50pm Guzheng performance by Yuchen

Gao Yuchen is a 12-year-old music prodigy from Beijing. She has demonstrated a deep passion for music since early childhood and began learning piano and Guzheng at the age of five. Through years of dedicated practice, she has honed her skills and performed at different events, earning wide community recognition.

Guzheng is a traditional Chinese plucked zither with a history spanning over 2,500 years. It features 21 strings and measures 64 inches in length, tuned to the pentatonic scale.

 6:00pm Poem reading by Sadiqa de Meijer

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.

6:10pm Indigenous story sharing, singing and dancing 

Lynda Gerow, Program Manager of the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest (KNCLN), will share stories 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.

6:20pm Keynote speech by Ophelia

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. As the Principal Consultant of REAL Talk Solutions and the Founder and Director of The SHINE Club, she builds dignity‑centred systems where belonging is measurable, actionable, and woven into everyday practice. With a Master of Education specializing in Leadership, Ophelia blends lived experience, humour, and truth‑telling to challenge audiences to move beyond intention and lead with courage, accountability, and joy. Her keynotes inspire leaders to listen without defence, honour impact over intent, and create cultures where everyone can flourish.

To learn more about REAL Talk Solutions visit https://realtalksolutionsconsulting.com/

And about The SHINE Club visit: https://theshineclub.org/

6:30 pm Dance performance by Afro Mama Rythmée

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.

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.

6:40pm Vocal performance from Inna

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.

6:50pm Closing remarks

7:00pm Mix and mingle, smudging

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