Poet Gives Voice to Women Who Historically Have Not Been Heard

Poet Octavia McBride-Ahebee will give a reading at The Philadelphia Black Women's Arts Festival. She will read from her new poetry collection, Assuming Voices. Much of this body of work was inspired by McBride-Ahebee's time spent in West Africa.

(PRWEB) July 15, 2004 -- Have you ever considered how a mother might feel, who is in a refugee camp with her children? Have you ever pondered the plight of a woman caught in the throws of a civil war? Have you ever wondered how a rural, unschooled, isolated woman might cope with breast cancer? Have you ever contemplated where a new immigrant woman might find a welcome mat in her newly adopted country?
    
These themes and many others found in Octavia McBride-Ahebees new collection of poetry, Assuming Voices, are not the typical themes one expects to find in poetry. But for McBride-Ahebee, who will be one of the featured readers at the Annual Philadelphia Black Womens Arts Festival, poetry is the perfect art form to
give voice to women who historically have not been heard.

What is more monumental, more life-affirming than women who persist, who dare to even attempt to thrive, under the most draconian circumstances,who refuse to surrender without a fight. To me, this is poetic," said McBride-Ahebee.

The Philadelphia Black Womens Arts Festival will be held on July 17th at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from noon -10:00p.m. Women, of African descent, in music, art, literature,film, dance and crafts will present their work.

McBride-Ahebee will read at 1:00 p.m., from Assuming Voices, which is published by Lit Pot Press( www.litpotpress.com )

A Philadelphia native, McBride-Ahebee lived for nine years in West Africa. Much of her literary work is informed by her time spent in Africa.
    
Octavia McBride-Ahebee has created a series of beautifully exotic poems which run the gamut of love, death, lust and war. She has created this through the splendor and magic of the imagined word," said Beverly Jackson, Lit Pot Press editor/publisher. This American voice weaves an international tapestry as a result of her years in Africa and we are struck by the depth of her vigorous passion."

For more information about McBride-Ahebee, her book and other scheduled events , visit her webpage at http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1j2qg/ . For More information about The Philadelphia Black Womens Arts Festival, contact Monica McIntyre at BWAFphilly@hotmail.com or 215-574-2129.