The Great Women of Woodlawn Tour

May 18

The Great Women of Woodlawn performance tour for the Friends of Woodlawn this Sunday May 20th. By Elena Martinez, Folklorist, City Lore

The Woodlawn Cemetery is full of history, from Civil War figures and first wave feminists of the 19th century to vaudeville entertainers and jazz legends. Though one might not think so, a place like Woodlawn, is a natural place to retell history. History is about stories of people and events that have occurred; and cemeteries are places where we celebrate the lives of those who have passed so we can remember them and keep them in our hearts and memories. Remembrance is the key. In this Sunday’s tour you will experience the stories of many women whose works and actions have opened doors for those of us today. From globe-trotting investigative reporter, Nellie Bly, who at a young age wrote articles, which gave a voice to the marginalized and oppressed; to feminist leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton; to Carmen Miyares de Mantilla who organized women’s groups to fight Spanish colonialism in Cuba. And to make the program even more interesting you will hear four amazing poets: the Godmother of Nuyorican poetry, Sandra Maria Esteves, Bronx star Caridad “La Bruja’ De La Luz, tour veteran Maegan "La Mamita Mala" Ortíz, and Brooklyn poet and musician, Bekah Dinnerstein. They’ll recite their poems inspired by the likes of trendsetting dancer Irene Castle, the Queen of Magic, Adelaide Herrmann, and the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz among others. We hope to see you there!

The Great Women of Woodlawn. Sunday May 20th @ 1:00pm. Meet at the Jerome Avenue entrance to the Cemetery. $15 per adult, $10 for seniors, students and Friends Members.