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V for vagina | The Spectrum
A female empowerment movement that has grown steadily for the past decade has returned to the University at Buffalo.
V-Day is an internationally recognized movement that works to end violence against women in over 130 countries.
Founded by Eve Ensler, the non-profit organization sponsors events that bring public awareness to violence against women and distributes funds to help survivors of abuse every year.
Ensler allows groups to perform works created for the V-Day campaign and use the proceeds to help programs in their community to end violence, according to their Web site.
One of the most notable works in the campaign, The Vagina Monologues, is based on the true stories of 200 women who were victims of abuse and violence.
The play tells stories of strength, sexuality and the painful experiences of women in a tragic and emotionally jarring manner.
“Its important [that these issues] are brought to the table so people are aware of what’s going on and we can act to stop it,” said Nicole Moore, a senior English major and member of the play.
Along with Moore, 41 other UB students, staff members, and community members have joined together for the production of The Vagina Monologues, which will be performed on March 21 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and March 22 at 7 p.m.
“I came from a house of domestic violence, I’ve been in abusive relationships, and I’ve had friends [who’ve been through] abuse,” Moore said. “I need to bring awareness about it because no one should have to go through the things that I’ve been through.”
Sarah Tanbakuchi, an alumna and cast member, also endured similar struggles and has used her experience to be an advocate for abused women.
“I have had three close friends who have been victims of domestic violence,” Tanbakuchi said. “It’s been very painful, and there’s a lot of stigma around this [subject], and I want to bring awareness so women don’t feel they have to hide from what they have been through.”
Director Kayla Maryles, a senior health and human services major, has been involved with the play for three years and explains that The Vagina Monologues are meant to educate people in a nonconventional way about domestic violence and abuse against women.
“I think a lot of women are overlooked and a lot of women are silenced through their own violence or other people’s stories,” Maryles said. “This is a liberating experience for women to stand on stage and reclaim their words and sexuality.”
Kate Mullen, an alumna, director of the play A Monologue, A Memory, A Rant and A Prayer and member of The Vagina Monologues, also expressed her desire to act as a support for abused women.
“[I want to be] a voice for the silent victims and survivors because they need someone to stand up for them,” Mullen said. “This was a good place to show someone that it’s ok, and that there’s support.”
For the first time in its production at UB, the cast of The Vagina Monologues has joined efforts with the American Sign Language community.
Alongside Maryles, Emily Glenn-Smith, ASL program director at UB, directed the cast.
“For me as a deaf woman and professor at UB, it is important to open access for deaf women and men in the community,” Glenn-Smith said.
She explains how it is very common in the deaf community, both locally and nationwide, for gaps to exist with regards to sex education.
“[These educational gaps] bring unawareness, and result in a lot of sexual and domestic abuse in the community. [My goal with this play] is to educate in ways that are otherwise missing,” Glenn-Smith said.
Despite its enormous success and powerful message, The Vagina Monologues has collected criticism throughout the years as being overly feminist and a source of ridicule.
“People think [this play] is a joke – just women talking about tampons and not a campaign to end violence. It’s very serious, and the people who make fun of it are the ones who need to see it the most,” said Erin Vanderbosch, a senior English major.
Cast member Lauren Pollow, a senior psychology major, explains how the V-Day campaign has become an important part of her life since her own rape and shock when she discovered how common sexual abuse is against women.
“The Vagina Monologues is an amazing play,” Pollow said. “It’s something that combines the great things of being female, and the things that connect us all, like domestic violence.”
Have seen this play few years ago. Very good.
A female empowerment movement that has grown steadily for the past decade has returned to the University at Buffalo.
V-Day is an internationally recognized movement that works to end violence against women in over 130 countries.
Founded by Eve Ensler, the non-profit organization sponsors events that bring public awareness to violence against women and distributes funds to help survivors of abuse every year.
Ensler allows groups to perform works created for the V-Day campaign and use the proceeds to help programs in their community to end violence, according to their Web site.
One of the most notable works in the campaign, The Vagina Monologues, is based on the true stories of 200 women who were victims of abuse and violence.
The play tells stories of strength, sexuality and the painful experiences of women in a tragic and emotionally jarring manner.
“Its important [that these issues] are brought to the table so people are aware of what’s going on and we can act to stop it,” said Nicole Moore, a senior English major and member of the play.
Along with Moore, 41 other UB students, staff members, and community members have joined together for the production of The Vagina Monologues, which will be performed on March 21 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and March 22 at 7 p.m.
“I came from a house of domestic violence, I’ve been in abusive relationships, and I’ve had friends [who’ve been through] abuse,” Moore said. “I need to bring awareness about it because no one should have to go through the things that I’ve been through.”
Sarah Tanbakuchi, an alumna and cast member, also endured similar struggles and has used her experience to be an advocate for abused women.
“I have had three close friends who have been victims of domestic violence,” Tanbakuchi said. “It’s been very painful, and there’s a lot of stigma around this [subject], and I want to bring awareness so women don’t feel they have to hide from what they have been through.”
Director Kayla Maryles, a senior health and human services major, has been involved with the play for three years and explains that The Vagina Monologues are meant to educate people in a nonconventional way about domestic violence and abuse against women.
“I think a lot of women are overlooked and a lot of women are silenced through their own violence or other people’s stories,” Maryles said. “This is a liberating experience for women to stand on stage and reclaim their words and sexuality.”
Kate Mullen, an alumna, director of the play A Monologue, A Memory, A Rant and A Prayer and member of The Vagina Monologues, also expressed her desire to act as a support for abused women.
“[I want to be] a voice for the silent victims and survivors because they need someone to stand up for them,” Mullen said. “This was a good place to show someone that it’s ok, and that there’s support.”
For the first time in its production at UB, the cast of The Vagina Monologues has joined efforts with the American Sign Language community.
Alongside Maryles, Emily Glenn-Smith, ASL program director at UB, directed the cast.
“For me as a deaf woman and professor at UB, it is important to open access for deaf women and men in the community,” Glenn-Smith said.
She explains how it is very common in the deaf community, both locally and nationwide, for gaps to exist with regards to sex education.
“[These educational gaps] bring unawareness, and result in a lot of sexual and domestic abuse in the community. [My goal with this play] is to educate in ways that are otherwise missing,” Glenn-Smith said.
Despite its enormous success and powerful message, The Vagina Monologues has collected criticism throughout the years as being overly feminist and a source of ridicule.
“People think [this play] is a joke – just women talking about tampons and not a campaign to end violence. It’s very serious, and the people who make fun of it are the ones who need to see it the most,” said Erin Vanderbosch, a senior English major.
Cast member Lauren Pollow, a senior psychology major, explains how the V-Day campaign has become an important part of her life since her own rape and shock when she discovered how common sexual abuse is against women.
“The Vagina Monologues is an amazing play,” Pollow said. “It’s something that combines the great things of being female, and the things that connect us all, like domestic violence.”
Have seen this play few years ago. Very good.