ACTIVIST, AUTHOR OF 'THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES' TO SPEAK AT UNA MARCH
Feb. 14, 2008
By Rebecca Walker
UNA Student Writer
FLORENCE, Ala. — Internationally-celebrated playwright Eve Ensler, author of “The Vagina Monologues” and one of the world’s foremost activists in ending violence against women, will speak to the campus and community of the University of North Alabama at 7 p.m. March 15 in the GUC Performance Center. The event is being sponsored by the UNA Women’s Center and women’s studies program.
Ensler decided to make UNA one of the 19 stops on her “V to the 10th” college speaking tour after meeting Katie Smith and Megan Williams, students who are co-directing this year’s performance of “The Vagina Monologues” at UNA. “V to the 10th” is this year’s campaign to mark the 10th anniversary since the first performance of “The Vagina Monologues” on Feb. 14, 1998, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
“We met her last year when she spoke at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta,” Williams said. “After she answered questions, she met with people. I ran up to her and hugged her and said, ‘You’re my hero. Because of you, I’ve decided to dedicate my life to ending violence against women.’”
Williams, who is also a Rape Response of the Shoals crisis representative, said that Ensler was very interested that “The Vagina Monologues” is performed in such a conservative town and that it has a positive reception.
“She immediately said, ‘I’m coming to Florence, Ala.,” Williams recalled.
Ensler will discuss V-Day at the UNA event. According to the organization’s Web site, www.vday.org, V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls.
It is expected that Ensler will also hold a question-and-answer session and meet with interested persons after the event, according to Williams.
Admission to the event is free to UNA students with a Mane Card. A $10 donation is suggested for members of the community, though no one will be turned away.
“We want everyone to be able to come,” Williams said. “People need to hear. Violence against women is everywhere. It’s here. It’s real.”
Ensler’s books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
For more information, contact Anna Lott at 256-765-4486 or aelott@una.edu. To learn more about V-Day, visit www.vday.org.
