To Our Foremothers: Love, Grief and How Art Sustains Us

All PEN World Voices Festival tickets are non-refundable. Please confirm the time and location of your event before finalizing your purchase.

Drawing inspiration from foremothers as varied as Agnes Martin, Jane Jacobs, Maria Sibylla Merian, grandmothers, and the countless unnamed women who history has anonymized—four distinguished writers explore topics of gender, art, depression, and grief. Poet Victoria Chang’s new collection With My Back to the World engages the paintings and writings of Agnes Martin, the celebrated abstract artist, in ways that open up new modes of expression. How do we see and how are we seen? Daniela Naomi Molnar’s debut collection Chorus weaves voices of women scientists, poets, sociologists, artists, and activists whose indomitable lives offer lessons for our time. These poets will be joined in conversation by award-winning poet Amy Gerstler and author and literary curator Louise Steinman.

The 2024 PEN World Voices Festival, the 20th anniversary of the festival, will be a celebration of world literature and free expression. Over four days, over 100 writers from nearly 30 countries will be featured in engaging talks, panels, readings, and performances in New York City and greater Los Angeles.

Visit for more information about the entire festival, as well as PEN America.

Please ask a Box Office Attendant or festival representative upon arrival for directions to accessible seating if preferred.

For further information on accessibility in this space, or to make a request, please contact [email protected]

While not required, per public health official guidelines, the World Voices Festival recommends being fully vaccinated, and wearing masks in all public indoor settings as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19, as well as around crowds.

If you are feeling unwell, please do not come to the event. Reach out to [email protected] for assistance if you have already purchased a ticket.

We thank you for ensuring our speakers, guests and venue workers feel safe and comfortable at all World Voices Festival events. If you have questions or concerns please contact [email protected]

Host or Publisher PEN America