2008 Woodie Awards
Vagina Monologues to honor V-Day this weekend
Aria Walfrand
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
This weekend, in honor of V-Day, Union students will be performing the Vagina Monologues.
What started as Eve Ensler's dream to raise awareness about women's issues became a worldwide campaign to stop violence against women. 2008 marks the tenth anniversary of V-Day (the V standing for victory, valentine, and vagina), a worldwide campaign to raise money for women in need everywhere.
In 2007, there were over 3,000 benefits in 58 countries to raise money for the V-Day campaign. Over 700 college campuses performed the Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler's interviews-turned-theatrical performance.
Union College has been one of these college campuses to proudly perform the monologues since 2000 (with the exception of the years 2001, 2004, and 2005), raising great amounts of money for a really good cause.
"In 2006, we sold out both performances and raised over $2,000," says Kaitlin Canty, '08, a co-producer and actress in the show. "Ninety percent went to Schenectady YWCA for their programs to combat domestic violence and 10 percent went to the V-Day Spotlight Campaign."
Each year, the V-Day organizers pick a "Spotlight Campaign," where a bit of each of the money from V-Day related events goes to that organization. For 2008, the Spotlight Campaign is directed towards women of New Orleans and the Gulf South.
"I have to say that I think [The Vagina Monologues] is a very important piece, not just for women's rights and empowerment, but for people to come to better understand some of the injustices women face and to open a dialogue about such issues," remarked Senior Keegan Peters, a director and performer in the show. "I think the Vagina Monologues can help remove some of the secrecy and taboo of discussing women's issues and hopefully lead to a greater understanding within the female community, as well as between the genders of the stigmas and situations many women face."
Canty also noted the humorous aspects of the play. "The play is funny and celebratory in tone but also addresses serious issues and things about the female anatomy that aren't typically talked about."
What started as Eve Ensler's dream to raise awareness about women's issues became a worldwide campaign to stop violence against women. 2008 marks the tenth anniversary of V-Day (the V standing for victory, valentine, and vagina), a worldwide campaign to raise money for women in need everywhere.
In 2007, there were over 3,000 benefits in 58 countries to raise money for the V-Day campaign. Over 700 college campuses performed the Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler's interviews-turned-theatrical performance.
Union College has been one of these college campuses to proudly perform the monologues since 2000 (with the exception of the years 2001, 2004, and 2005), raising great amounts of money for a really good cause.
"In 2006, we sold out both performances and raised over $2,000," says Kaitlin Canty, '08, a co-producer and actress in the show. "Ninety percent went to Schenectady YWCA for their programs to combat domestic violence and 10 percent went to the V-Day Spotlight Campaign."
Each year, the V-Day organizers pick a "Spotlight Campaign," where a bit of each of the money from V-Day related events goes to that organization. For 2008, the Spotlight Campaign is directed towards women of New Orleans and the Gulf South.
"I have to say that I think [The Vagina Monologues] is a very important piece, not just for women's rights and empowerment, but for people to come to better understand some of the injustices women face and to open a dialogue about such issues," remarked Senior Keegan Peters, a director and performer in the show. "I think the Vagina Monologues can help remove some of the secrecy and taboo of discussing women's issues and hopefully lead to a greater understanding within the female community, as well as between the genders of the stigmas and situations many women face."
Canty also noted the humorous aspects of the play. "The play is funny and celebratory in tone but also addresses serious issues and things about the female anatomy that aren't typically talked about."
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