On Saturday March 8, International Women’s Day, a production of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” will be presented at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville.
V-Day: Until the Violence Stops is proud to present “The Vagina Monologues.” V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day’s purpose is to generate broader attention for the fight to stop worldwide violence against women and girls including rape, sexual slavery, incest, battery and female genital mutilation (FGM).
“The Vagina Monologues” is one way V-Day raises awareness and funds for anti-violence groups within their own communities. This production’s proceeds will benefit Helpmate of Buncombe County and REACH of Jackson County.
V-Day was born in 1998 as result of the feedback Eve Ensler received about the “The Vagina Monologues.” After performing her Obie-Award winning play, women would tell their own stories of abuse and violence. She decided that something needed to be done. With the help of a group of women in New York, Eve founded V-Day.
V-Day’s mission is simple. It demands that the violence must end. It also proclaims Valentine’s Day as V-Day until the violence stops. V-Day will be known as Victory Over Violence Day when all women live in safety and no longer fear violence or any threat of violence.
In 2001 V-Day was recognized in “100 Best Charities” in Worth’s Magazine. In its first five years they have raised $14 million and over $7 million in 2002 alone.
The March 8 production of “The Vagina Monologues” will begin at 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Edwin Place (just off Charlotte St.). Melissa Penley of V-Day Asheville said that there will be a beFOREPLAY to begin at 6:30. There will be a silent witness exhibit on display, information from Helpmate, REACH and Planned Parenthood. She added, “There will also be food, fun V-Day sales and other fun and meaningful multi-media vagina educational materials.”
After the show, a panel discussion will take place Representatives from Helpmate, REACH, Planned Parenthood, WNC Aids Project and others will participate as panel members.
REACH provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. These services include emergency shelter, a 24-hour hotline, legal advocacy, medical assistance, counseling, educational programs and transitional housing. They are happy to have Sybil Mann representing them as a panel member. Ms. Mann is the Executive Director of 30th Judicial District Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Alliance Inc.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at REACH of Jackson County at 631-4488 or contact V-Day of Asheville at vdayasheville@yours.com. For more information on V-Day check out www.vday.org.
