Women of the Tides: Stories of Labor, Sea, and Survival explores the world of South Korea’s legendary Jeju haenyeo free-divers

WHAT: The Korean Cultural Society of Boston and Project Asian Joy in collaboration with the New England Aquarium present Women of the Tides: Stories of Labor, Sea, and Survival, bringing together sound, photography, storytelling, and an immersive collective audio experience. The public program will be led by journalist Heidi Shin and artist Anita Yip.

Based on Shin’s first-hand reporting, the program invites audiences into the world of South Korea’s Jeju haenyeo—legendary elder free-divers who are matriarchs, breadwinners, and the backbone of the island’s economy. As this disappearing tradition faces the pressures of commercial fisheries and a changing ocean, audiences are invited to listen, respond, and reflect together on the changing expectations around women and work. The evening will also feature first-hand stories about diving with the haenyeo, a Q&A, and a shared art-making experience where audience members are invited to contribute to a community archive about labor, care, and survival.

The event marks the 10th anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of Jeju haenyeo culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Cantonese interpretation and light refreshments will be provided.

This free event is made possible in part by the Lowell Institute and the Innovation Harbor Grant Program.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre, 1 Central Wharf, Boston

HOW: Register here to attend the event.

WHO:

• Heidi Shin is a Boston-based journalist and podcast producer. She’s especially interested in the stories of immigrant communities and the inevitable connections between stories abroad and our lives in the US. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Snap Judgment, Atlas Obscura, the BBC, NPR, WGBH, and PRX The World, amongst other outlets. Awards include an Edward R. Murrow Award, a Webby, Signal Award, an ONA, Asian American Journalists Award, Religion News Association Award, Society for Features Journalism Award, and The New York Festivals Radio Award. She is often invited to speak about reporting in immigrant communities, reporting about mental health, women’s issues, and bringing new voices to podcasting.
• Anita Yip is a citizen artist, experiential producer, and cultural strategist based in Boston. After being selected as an Un-Monument artist, she founded Project Asian Joy to make Asian American histories visible through public storytelling and create shared experiences rooted in memory and place. In under two years, Project Asian Joy has produced exhibits, cultural festivals, and community events, reinvesting more than $60,000 into artists, organizations, businesses, and community members. Prior to her work in the arts, Anita built a career across healthcare technology, nonprofit capacity building, and civic engagement, including launching community giving and public writing initiatives. Her leadership has been recognized through Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Ten Outstanding Young Leaders, COLOR Magazine’s Power 40 Under 40, and the City of Boston’s EXTRAordinary Women Award. Anita holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Media Arts & Sciences from Wellesley College and an M.S. in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Northeastern University. As the first person in her family to graduate from college, she is deeply committed to expanding access to opportunity, representation, and leadership for future generations.

MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Bechtold Snyder—psnyder@neaq.org