The Vagina Monologues raise awareness for domestic violence Ashley Duke TNE Writer The Vagina Monologues,

written by Eve Ensler in 1994, addresses womens sexuality and issues dealing with abuse and rape. Ensler created these monologues by interviewing 12 women and sharing their perspectives. The play ran off-Broadway for five years, toured around the U.S. and is now performed throughout the world. I decided to participate in The Vagina Monologues because I am passionate about lending my voice to womens issues, said Kendra Sweet, Adair alumna. So many young college women are victims of sex crimes, and the rape culture in the U.S. is an issue that demands to spoken about. Ensler and a group of women created V-day on Valentines Day of 1998. The V in Vday stands for victory, valentine and vagina. V-days mission is to put a stop to violence and sexual abuse against women. To do this, Ensler allows organizations throughout the world to perform The Vagina Monologues in order to donate funds to local projects that support the cause. V-day also incorporates benefits, gatherings, films and campaigns that educate people about abuse against women. It is important that we get together and raise both money and awareness for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, said Liz Felt, producer of The Vagina Monologues. I think it is amazing that Eve Ensler has taken it upon herself to also help women of other countries. These women endure violence from the minute they are born throughout their whole lives. Ensler teaches them that they do not have to endure this. The Vagina Monologues feature 12 monologues. Each will address different experiences women go through face. They cover subjects such as love, sex, rape, menstruation, orgasm and birth. This year, they received special permission to perform the monologue Crooked Braid. The monologue is constructed from interviews with Native American women in South Dakota. It voices their hardships that resulted from violence. The Vagina Monologues means empowerment to me, said Sweet. It is a program that will make you laugh, cry and rejoice in your right to be a proud woman. The Vagina Monologues are 7 p.m., March 14 and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 15, at the Armory Municipal Center. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. NSU students pay $8 at the door with NSU I.D. T-shirts and boas will be sold at the performance. Ninety percent of profits are donated to CASA and 10 percent are donated to V-day. NSU students should attend the Vagina Monologues because it is for a good cause and emphasis standing against abuse, said Kianna Linville, Keys senior. For more information, visit www.vdaytahlequah.org. Published 3/4/14