Women healing with poetry
Thirteen women poets will air their views on a range of issues at the Women of the Word: Healing With Poetry show put on by Cherry Natural (Earth Woman) and Michelle Yapp on International Women’s Day, Tuesday, March 8.
The women slated to perform are Cherry Natural, Marsha Hall, Joan Andrea Hutchinson, Paula Ann Porter, A-dZiko Simba, the Pum Pum Posse, Syndia Payne, Barbara Dixon, Sabre Sabriya, Damali, Ingrid Riley, Jean Wilson and Gina Ray Forest.
“They will be trying to bring out what is inside of them because most of the time women don’t really get a chance to hold a space in speaking,” Cherry Natural told all woman.
Accompanying the Pum Pum Posse, will be reggae violinist Mark Stephenson, with narration by Isis, while host Cherry Natural will by joined by her daughter Little Natural. “I think it will really be a ground breaking and inspiring evening,” A-dziko Simba who is one of the performers, told all woman.
“The fact that for too long we as women, as the mothers, as the creators have been keeping too silent…this is what we need,” stressed attorney at law and president of the Jamaica Female Artistes Association (JAFA) Sandra Alcott. She is also a member of the Pum Pum Posse and a self-proclaimed healer.
“On March 11too, the Jamaica Association of Female Artistes in association with the Reggae Studies Unit will host an event in celebration of Women in Reggae,” said Alcott. “Traditionally we have held it as a celebration, but this year the event will be called,
Cultivating a Culture of Peace. Because we recognise that this is what we need. I’m a lover of Jamaica and what we represent. Sister Cherry Natural invited me and insisted that I get involved and I feel honoured to be a part of it.”
The Women of the Word function will be held at the Philip Sherlock Centre at the University of the West Indies at 6:30 pm.
