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“The Vagina Monologues” were put on with the help of student volunteers.
Vagina Monologues bring awareness and much more
The Pointer
jmath438@uwsp.edu
Once again, the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point’s Women’s Resource Center performed Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” in an effort to raise money for sexual assault victims and awareness.
Originally written to celebrate the vagina and women’s empowerment, the monologues evolved to inform and support the movement fighting violence against women.
Jennifer Boyd, volunteer coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center, directed and performed in this year’s monologues.
“It really allowed us to get the word out on Sexual Assault Victims Services,” said Boyd.
The monologues performed addressed all aspects of female empowerment and struggle. Pieces about discovering oneself sexually, whether being straight or lesbian, becoming comfortable with your own sexuality and being empowered by it were all performed.
“It brings out some topics that are very taboo to some people and brings them out in the open where they should be,” said Boyd.
The performance also featured pieces on a more serious note. Pieces about violence against women, rape and female genital mutilation added somberness to the audience and informed them of real-world violence against women.
Dee Erlandson, Sexual Assault Victims Services victims’ advocate, ended the performance with a monologue about the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a warzone with the worst intensity of rape and sexual violence in the world.
According to Erlandson, every year Eve Ensler writes a new monologue based on her experiences combating sexual violence. This year, she wrote “Baptized” after she spent time with an 8-year-old girl in a hospital in the Congo. The child had been raped daily for two weeks by a group of Militia and because of the damage to her internal muscles and tissues, she was unable to control her urination.
“I was asked to read this piece at the end of the other monologues,” said Erlandson. “What a privilege to be part of the UW-SP cast and offer yet another perspective of violence against women to those who attended.”
The WRC’s performance of “The Vagina Monologues” is going to benefit the Sexual Assault Victims Services, a part of CAP services. Along with SAVS, proceeds will also go to the V-Day movement, a worldwide charity benefiting victims of sexual violence and abuse. SAVS can be reached at 715-343-7125.
The WRC is also hosting “Take Back the Night,” a rally devoted ending violence against women on April 22.
