A group of inspiring University students took the stage on Feb. 12-13 and performed monologues from the award-winning play, “The Vagina Monologues,” based on playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. The play celebrates women’s sexuality and strength.

On Valentine’s Day of 1998, Ensler and a group of empowered women in New York City established V-Day, an organization with the goal of ending violence against women and girls. Groups around the world now annually perform versions of “The Vagina Monologues” and other works created by V-Day. The proceeds are used for local projects and programs that work to end violence against females. Over 5,800 V-Day events occur each year around the world.

This year, $1,330 was raised and donated to the Transitions Women’s Shelter, an organization located in  Lewisburg that provides emotional support, legal advice, and a safe space for women who are facing abuse and are transitioning away from these situations.

Rape culture and violence against women have consistently been hot topics of discussion on college campuses. With humor and grace, “The Vagina Monologues” gives voice to the real experiences of women that have previously gone unheard. It inspires, educates, and heals while starting a necessary conversation about ending violence against women and girls.

“[I] really appreciated how they brought attention to the issues that women globally face due to gender-based violence, while still incorporating lighter and funnier topics,” Maggie Manspeaker ’17 said.

“Doing ‘The Vagina Monologues’ was definitely on the top of my Bucknell bucket list. I am so glad that I got to participate! It gave me a chance to do something that I love and meet an entirely new and amazing group of people,” Audrey Love ’16 said.

“Participating in ‘The Vagina Monologues’ throughout college has been a really rewarding experience. I got to meet so many inspirational women while raising money for a good cause. Directing the Monologues was an interesting experience because I got to witness how the women were impacted by the production as well as the evolution of the production itself. This year was particularly important because it introduced our first Trans monologue, and the supportive reaction elicited by the audience was inspiring. I am hoping that in the future the production can incorporate more student-written monologues in an effort to increase diversity and add different perspectives,” Nicole Srbin ’16 said.

Performances like “The Vagina Monologues” bring attention to broader issues affecting the female population, not only on college campuses, but around the world. The strength and bravery of the student performers to relay these controversial stories of real women is admirable and will keep the conversation going.