Stuart’s Opera House is pleased to announce it will host the Women of Appalachia Project (WOAP) “Women Speak,” a presentation of story, poetry and song showcasing women artists from throughout the Appalachian region.

The FREE event will be held June 16, 2023, from 7-9PM and is a presentation of readings published in WOAP’s anthology series “Women Speak.”

Click here to reserve your spot.

Women Speak: Volume Eight is a lavish mix of Appalachian female voices—northern, central, southern, Affrilachian, Indigenous, Asian-Appalachian, LQBTQ, those differently abled and with developmental differences, emerging and well established—every voice raised in tribute to Appalachian endurance, honor, courage, love of family, community, and the land. Copies of Women Speak: Volume Seven will be available for sale during the event or can be purchased online at www.sheilanagigblog.com.

In 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a “War on Poverty” focused on Appalachia. Federal money was legislated to create social welfare programs but no job or education programs, which served only to protect Appalachians from starvation, but deprived them of self-respect and hope. Women more often than not, fell into greater poverty and ill health due to death of partners and extremely inadequate medical care and nutrition during childbearing years. Though much has changed over the years, “War on Poverty” photographs remain our nation’s visual definition of Appalachia, many of the images drawn from the poorest areas and people, which serves to perpetuate stereotype and marginalization.

The Women of Appalachia Project encourages participation from women of diverse backgrounds, ages, and experiences to come together, share culture and experiences at arranged venues, embrace issues of marginalization and stereotype; creating a force, unified and non-violently confrontational, to show the whole women, beyond superficial factors often used to judge her.