The Other V-Day
By Sarah Fisher |
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From monologues to fundraising, February means more to many women than a box of chocolates - it's about ending violence.
Eve Ensler and Jane Fonda at V-Day 2001: Madison Square Garden
Despite the familiar February images of Valentine's Day hearts and flowers, there is a new V-Day to be celebrated. V-Day, an organization in the fight against women's violence, has raised over $70 million dollars over the past ten years through local, national, and international events. The organization strives to inform, engage, and empower women and men to ultimately understand and act against the abuse of women.
Globally, V-Day events have touched over 130 countries. No destination is too remote or dangerous for V-Day activists. In Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, the group has gained ongoing support and built movements and anti-violence networks. From performances to marathons, V-Day's fundraisers have supported the opening of the first women's shelters in Egypt and Iraq. Likewise, V-Day's Karama program based in Cairo has built safety networks in countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, and beyond. Furthermore, V-Day has established annual workshops and three national campaigns to stop violence against women in Afghanistan.
Nationally, V-Day is represented by groups of all kinds, from high school volunteers to university programs.
"Every college campaign does their own thing regarding fundraising - it all depends on their demographic, community support, and size of their local organization," says Micaela Deming, who has been a local V-Day representative for eight years.
This month, the V-Day chapter at The Ohio State University will be hosting a benefit on the weekend of February 19th and 20th. A theatrical performance of The Vagina Monologues will be given both Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. at Independence Hall. The acclaimed play is a collection of interviews with more than 200 women conducted by V-Day's founder and playwright, Eve Ensler. The Vagina Monologues has succeeded in giving a voice to the trials and challenges of women taking control of their bodies and lives for the last twelve years and helped liberate and inform women all over the world.
"Most of all, it is a professional-level performance of amazing women performing powerful pieces," said Deming. "The audience is always moved to tears, laughter, and most of all, to greater awareness."
The local student-run organization will be donating 90 percent of the proceeds to Rebecca's Place, a local women's shelter, and to the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO). The remaining 10 percent of the monies raised will be sent to aid women struggling in New Orleans and the Gulf South.
The OSU V-Day organization will also host an event in the spring showcasing the film A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and a Prayer. The time and location for this event will be released at a later date.
For further information on hosting your own V-Day event, finding a local event, or how to donate, visit www.vday.org.
To make a reservation for February's event or for further information, e-mail Micaela Deming at osuheartstvm@gmail.com.
Originally Published: February 1, 2010
