(From last year's performance) Front row L-R: Karen Renda, Devan Brown, Dr. Nicole Payen, Amy Golas Middle row L-R: Amanda Hebson, Emily Thomas, Cassandra Clark, Kate Anderstrom, Jenn DiRosario Last row L-R: Marissa Yourell, Shawna Manning, Dr. Rebecca Burwell, Annie Petrone, Kaitlin Countryman (Photo submitted)
Student Activists: Westfield State Students Increase Awareness of Women’s Issues
By Laura Phelon
There are many different traditions associated with the month of February: Valentine’s Day, President’s Day Weekend, February Vacation if you’re lucky. At Westfield State University, students have a different kind of tradition that has lasted a decade and is still going strong: a performance of The Vagina Monologues.
Since 2002, Westfield State students have hosted a production of The Vagina Monologues, a play that highlights female empowerment by intertwining monologues that mix tragedy, comedy, and dramatic scenes. The play was introduced ten years ago by student intern Jessica Castro who was helping organize “Month Celebrating Women” on campus and it quickly began a tradition.
The play’s monologues tackle subjects as serious as rape and genital mutilation and the more light-hearted issues of sex, love, and birth. Each year, there is a different spotlight monologue. Last year’s was dedicated to the women and girls of Haiti who faced increased violence after the 2010 earthquake. This year, the spotlight is on the women of Port-Au-Prince, New Orleans, and Bukavu.
This year, male students will participate for the very first time. The Vagina Monologues director Shawna Manning ’12 said the incorporation of men is long overdue.
“We are thriving for gender equality, so it seems silly to keep the sexes separate,” Manning said. “The men involved are very passionate about women’s rights, and I am very excited to show the audience how great they are.”
Manning also said that though the play has a stigma of being targeted towards women, men might just enjoy it too.
“I have had many men confess to me that they were frightened to buy a ticket for the show, but were pleasantly surprised after the final bows,” Manning said. “I mean, who doesn’t have a woman in their lives that they love? Whether it be your mother, sister, girlfriend, aunt, wife, or yourself. It is important for everyone to see the show for that special woman in their life.”
Event organizer Katelyn Anderstrom ‘12 agrees that men can both enjoy the show and appreciate its importance.
“All of the issues brought up in The Vagina Monologues are completely relevant to our life and everyone should be aware of them,” Anderstrom said. “The show allows for women and men to become more empowered by the voices in the production.”
The Vagina Monologues will be performed on Friday February 24th and Saturday February 25th at 7:30 pm in Dever Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at the door at $3 for students and seniors and $5 for the general public. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the shows go to charities. This year, the money will be going towards the V-Day Campaign which raises awareness about violence towards women and issues affecting women, and the organization SAFER, Students Active For Ending Rape.
Faculty Advisor and performer Dr. Rebecca Burwell of the psychology department has been involved in the production for five years and believes it is a must see in order to create more awareness of women’s issues.
“Student-run and directed The Vagina Monologues is not just a performance; it reflects a movement to raise awareness about issues affecting girls and women across the globe,” Burwell said. “Males and females alike will benefit from attending this performance; it not only educates us on these important issues, but it also reminds us that we’re all in this together. Awareness can make the difference.”
