The Vagina Monologues is a play that is based on the book written by Eve Ensler in 1996. The play is a compilation of monologues based on interviews done by Ensler, each touching on a feminine issue or experience. Topics covered include sex, rape, love, menstruation, birth and orgasm. The monologues have been featured on t.v. and plays are cast around the world. Kamloops has hosted this play since 2007. First, at Thompson Rivers University, then was moved to the Convention Centre to be able to accommodate more people. The play is meant to give a sense of empowerment and self worth to women, especially those abused.
This year the monologues were held in the Coast Hotel Convention Centre on March 6th, 7th and 8th. I had no idea what the Vagina Monologues were until Caitlin, one of my good friends, started starring in it last year. Caitlin is a social worker and is at the beginning of her career wanting to help women who are abused and was willing to sit down with me for an interview.
The monologues were held during the same time as International Women’s Day which was another perfect way to encourage women to feel great and appreciate themselves. This year all of the proceeds raised by the Vagina Monologues went to Kamloops Sexual Assault Counseling Centre (KSACC) and the Kamloops Women’s Resource Group Society (KWRGS). Both of these groups were established with the goal of supporting women who aren’t able to obtain help anywhere else.
Another woman that I came to know through Caitlin was also willing to be interviewed on the topic of Vagina Monologues. She wasn’t an actress in the show, but worked behind the scenes to help raise money for KSACC and KWRGS.
Part of the fundraising was selling cupcakes for 4$ each and bags of chocolates for 4$ as well. I may have devoured a few, they were delicious!
The TRU Omega Student Newspaper also had an excellent article done on the Vagina Monologues this year.
http://truomega.ca/2014/03/10/what-would-it-wear-and-what-would-it-say/
Watching the monologues was definitely empowering not only to myself, but to every other woman watching. By the end of the play there were tears shed, but also a lot of laughter and cheering. I will definitely be recommending the play to others!
leannem18 