The Vagina Monologues, a staple of third-wave feminism, will be hosted by Wright State’s Women’s Center on Feb 12.
The episodic play penned by feminist icon Eve Ensler will be performed by an assortment of students, staff and faculty in Schuster Hall of the Creative Arts Center this Friday.
A collection of stories by various different women that challenges the conventional stigma of womanhood, the monologues will be performed in honor of the V-day movement, a world wide event that aims to bring awareness to victims of violence and take action in stopping violence against women and girls.
“What The Vagina Monologues does, is it challenges the norms,” said Khadija Kirksey, an intern for the Women’s Center. “It introduces new narratives so that we can dismantle the systems of oppression that shapes our lives.”
First performed in 1996, this production aims to capture the spirit and complexities of Femininity. The structure of the play is unconventional and consists of separate monologues often dealing with what Ensler describes as aspects of the feminine experience.
The word vagina is used as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality. The play’s goal is to challenge cultural perceptions of women and their role in society.
“I think this is very important for the university. It allows a conversation about the female experience when usually these things are only talked about behind closed doors,” Said Melisa Lyons, junior.
“ Young women need to know they can talk about their bodies and embrace themselves and their sexuality without being ostracized and condemned for loving themselves.”
