Play shouts a message of safety for women, girls

The performance of The Vagina Monologues at USF is part of a global effort against violence.

By LEA IADAROLA, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 22, 2002

Some people squirm when they hear the word vagina. Others turn several shades of red and hide in embarrassment.

But in her Obie-award-winning play The Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler shouts the word loud and long. She wants to break taboos and fight violence committed against women because they have vaginas.

Through her performances, Ensler discovered that she could help women -- and men -- feel comfortable with the subject. Using money raised from her shows, she founded V-Day in 1998. V-Day is an organization that is a "global movement to stop violence against women and girls," she says.

At 8 p.m. today and Saturday, the National Organization for Women at USF joins more than 500 colleges and universities who are contributing to V-Day by performing The Vagina Monologues. The play will be held in USF's Music Recital Hall.

There also will be a silent art auction. Winners will be selected Saturday and notified by telephone.

The cost is $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors. But if you bring a can of food, clothing item or piece of art for the auction, you'll get a discount. Performance and auction proceeds will benefit local shelters for abused women and children.

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