“Forward Into Light,” an opera composed by Stephen Variames, pianist at St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church, with the words of librettist Kathleen Stakenas, will debut at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at St. John’s , 320 Resor Ave., Clifton. The program is free of charge.

Variames and four singers will present the opera as a musical reading, telling of the women’s marches of the early 1900s in the U.S. and specifically of suffragist Alice Paul, who helped secure women’s right to vote, coordinated 18 months of protests outside the White House and authored the Equal Rights Amendment.

The opera includes some of the music from women’s suffrage marches.

The evening includes an historical perspective by Dr. Kimberly Hamlin, the Chamberlin Family Professor and chair of history at Miami University, and board member of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Her research focus includes the history of women’s rights and has been featured on NPR, CBC radio and other media.

The League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area hosts a reception following the performance.

March 8 is International Women’s Day.

“Kathleen and I decided the world needs to know more about this,” said Variames. “How timely that we focus on voting rights. The show explains the necessity of voting and standing up for something you believe in.”

 St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church, as part of the Unitarian Universalist Association, promotes social justice, democracy, civil rights, love and acceptance.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government.

For more information, call Stephen Variames, 214-450-0706, or Claire Wagner, 513-330-1145, a member of both the local League and of St. John’s.

While the evening is offered at no cost to attendees, donations will be accepted and split between St. John’s and the local League of Women Voters.