Through Her Eyes: Exploring Gender Discrimination in Fiction

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

For centuries, women’s contributions have been sidelined, miscredited, or outright erased from history. What about the iconic works we celebrate today—were they truly created by the names we know, or were women’s contributions hidden behind the masks of male figures? Stories like that of Rosalind Franklin, the women of Hidden Figures, and Zelda Fitzgerald reveal how often women’s achievements have been misappropriated, their hard-earned credit handed to men who stood beside or in front of them.

Join bestselling authors Jodi Picoult (By Any Other Name) and Fiona Davis (The Stolen Queen), as they explore these overlooked narratives in a discussion moderated by bestselling author Adriana Trigiani (The Good Left Undone). From the true authorship of Shakespeare’s works to the lost contributions of ancient Egyptian female pharaohs and modern-day female archaeologists, this discussion will look at the long history of gendered barriers across industries, challenging us to imagine a future where women’s work is rightfully acknowledged and celebrated.

The 2025 PEN World Voices Festival, the 20th anniversary of the festival, will be a celebration of world literature and free expression. Over four days, over 80 writers from over 35 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.

AIA Center for Architecture is ADA compliant. The basement floor is accessible via elevator.

ASL interpretation is available for this event by request only. Please reach out to our Box Office team at [email protected] by April 21st to request.

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]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

AIA New York | Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, United States