The Quad

Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Features

Vagina: the word brings either feelings of extreme discomfort at the mention of the female anatomy from most people or fits of snickering from others. To Eve Ensler, author of "The Vagina Monologues" and founder of V-Day, this particular word has a deep meaning that is connected to empowerment for women.

After growing up in an abusive household, Ensler devoted her life to ending violence against women and girls. "The Vagina Monologues" was Ensler's first attempt to raise awareness of this abuse.

The play is a series of monologues based off of over 200 interviews of women from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles; it describes women's sexuality and resilience in a witty, sometimes shocking and serious manner. "The Vagina Monologues" has become extremely successful after its debut in 1996.

According to vday.org, the play has been translated into 45 languages, won numerous awards and critical acclaim and is currently running in theaters world-wide. The huge success of "The Vagina Monologues" inspired Ensler to start V-Day, a campaign to end violence and abuse to women and girls.

Today, V-Day has expanded to a global project that helps local and global agencies "continue and expand their core work on the ground, while drawing public attention to the larger fight to stop worldwide violence (including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual slavery) against women and girls," explains its website, vday.org. So far, the organization has raised over $35 million.

College campuses often put on productions of "The Vagina Monologues" as a fundraiser for V-Day; profits from ticket sales are used to support local women's shelters and other anti-abuse organizations.

West Chester University is one of the many colleges across the United States that has participated in the presentation of "The Vagina Monologues" to both spread awareness and raise money for local and international charities.

2008 marks the eighth year for the production of "The Vagina Monologues" here at WCU. The proceeds from this year's production of the play benefit four organizations: the Chester County Domestic Violence Center, the Chester County Crime Center, Casa Amigas and as requested by Ensler, a Spotlight Donation for women who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. WCU student Ashley Manta coordinated this year's performance with the assistance of the WCU Women's Center and other students who acted as both performers and directors.

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