International Women’s Day 2026: Femina Culpa Poetry Collective

Femina Culpa is a poetry collective bringing together 4 poets based in County Down and Belfast, Emma McKervey, Milena Williamson, Linda McKenna and Kelly Creighton. Their most recent poetry collections have all been inspired by the stories of nineteenth century women who were caught up in the criminal justice system or who were victims of crime. Their work has been based on archival research and seeks to uncover the voices of these women through poetry.

Emma McKervey’s Highland Boundary Fault, includes poems based on a Scottish court case in her family history.

Milena Williamson’s Into The Night That Flies So Fast, deals with the case of Bridget Cleary murdered by her family who claimed she was a fairy changeling.

Linda McKenna’s Four Thousand Keys, includes poems inspired by the story of Elizabeth Dunham who was charged with the theft of the keys of the Bank of England.

Kelly Creighton’s Unbecoming, is based on the case of Polly Bodine, the ‘Staten Island Witch’.