V-Day is one of many great movements aimed at ending violence against women and girls,
but the biggest problem with any movement is getting people interested. Of course people recognize that it’s a good cause but they don’t want to just give out money, people want to be engaged. The Vagina Monologues does just that.
I’m not the type of person to watch anything twice, but I have seen UMKC’s benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues the past two years and it affected me different each time. The monologues are so powerful and give insight into lives other than our own. The performers really become the characters and tell (what seems like) their own stories. When I saw the performance last year I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, I’m not sure anyone knows what to expect their first time. But it exceeded any expectations I thought I had. I was laughing and crying and really feeling for all of the characters. I had never heard people talk so openly about abuse and I certainly never thought I could talk to anyone about mine. Yet in a small basement theatre surrounded by strangers I finally felt safe. This was a turning point in my recovery. Then I saw the monologues again.
A lot had changed in the year between and I honestly didn’t think that seeing the same show would help me anymore, I was so wrong. The experience was an entirely new one. I was now a part of the organization putting on the performance as well as the community attending. I looked around the audience and saw familiar faces and new friends. I walked through the aisles with a confidence that I did not possess the year prior. And when I listened to the monologues I heard different meaning. I didn’t feel sorry for the women who had been abused, I was proud of them. I was grateful that these women were comfortable sharing their stories and I was inspired because if they could survive then so could I.
I plan on seeing The Vagina Monologues every year and I encourage others to do the same. It isn’t some action movie where you get tired of the plot, it is an emotional experience that inspires women and draws the community together. It educates women about their resources and lets them know that they are not alone, and there is nothing more important than knowing that you don’t have to go through it alone. Women are strong and resilient and we will rise.