Woman Scream New York | USA

 

Grito de Mujer New York 2026: A Night of Poetry and Recognition for Migrant Women

 

On Saturday, March 7, starting at 6:00 PM, the headquarters of the Dirección Dominicana de Cultura en el Exterior (Directory of Dominican Culture Abroad) became the setting for a heartfelt celebration of the XVI International Woman Scream Festival (Grito de Mujer) in New York. Artists, poets, and members of the public gathered to share an evening dedicated to the spoken word, memory, and the recognition of women’s role in society.

The event opened with formal remarks from the Dirección Dominicana de Cultura, which not only provided the venue but also sponsored the awards presented during the evening. Mr. Darío Tejeda, representing Director of Culture Rey Andújar, addressed the audience before handing the microphone to writer and community leader Elida Almonte, who served with distinction as master of ceremonies.

 

The event coordinator, Berkis Contreras, delivered the welcome remarks and expressed gratitude for the support received in organizing the festival. Before beginning her speech, she invited the audience to observe a moment of silence in honor of poet Félix García, a figure closely connected to the festival in both New York and New Jersey, who passed away two days after attending the 2025 edition.

In her address, Contreras paid tribute to migrant women and girls around the world, highlighting their resilience, their struggles, the challenges they face, and their contributions to society on a global scale.

 

The evening’s guest speaker, Inés Tejada, shared her personal experience as a migrant woman living in New York City for over 20 years, deeply connecting with the audience through her story.

The program continued with poetry readings by invited authors: Yrene Santos, Jimmy Valdez, Norma Feliz, Tomás Modesto Galán, Ana Isabel Saillant, Diógenes Abreu, Mar Russo, Yorman Mejías, Nikelma Nina, Rafael T. Badia, Francia Peña, and Rafael Tejada, offering a diverse and committed showcase of contemporary poetry.

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was the presentation of the “Mujeres Aladas” awards, sponsored by the Dirección Dominicana de Cultura en el Exterior. These honors were presented to two outstanding writers and community leaders, Francia Peña and Elida Almonte, in recognition of their careers and their valuable contributions as representatives of migrant women.

 

 

The event also featured a musical performance by Dominican tenor Engel Brito, whose interpretations added a special touch to the evening. Each participating poet also received a certificate of participation from the festival.

Woman Scream New York 2026 stood out as a deeply moving evening, marked by artistic excellence, reflection, and strong attendance, along with positive feedback from the audience. Once again, the festival reaffirmed its commitment to poetry, art, and the visibility of women in all spaces.

 

 

Woman Scream (Grito de Mujer) 2026, through the Mujeres Poetas Internacional (Women Poets International Movement) Foundation, is part of the list of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) and, for the fifth consecutive year, included among the projects of UN Women Generation Equality iniciatives.