Born a Woman: A Tribute to the Early Feminist Songs of Rita MacNeil

Born a Woman, organized by Molly McNeil, is a powerful tribute to the early feminist songwriting of Rita MacNeil.

Before the fame and recognition, Rita MacNeil was writing and performing songs rooted in the women’s movement of the 1970s, she was singing about inequality, body autonomy, women’s roles, and the lived realities so many women experienced but rarely heard spoken aloud. Through her music, she gave voice to truth, struggle, and resistance.

As the founder of the Cape Breton Feminist Society, being part of a show that brings those early feminist roots back into the light here in Cape Breton feels incredibly powerful! It feels like a rare and beautiful meeting point between the feminist history that came before us and the community-based work so many of us are continuing to build today.

There is something deeply moving about witnessing those two worlds come together, the voices, courage, and activism of the past meeting the energy, commitment, and passion of the present ❤️ 

It serves as a reminder that this work is deeply connected across generations. When we honour that connection, we create more space to build, to connect, and to grow stronger together.

I feel very privileged to be part of that 🩷