The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Barbara Boucicaut

Donned in their army fatigue, the WPU Vagina Warriors performed Eve Ensler's provocative celebration of femininity, The Vagina Monologues, at the Hunziker Black Box Theater to celebrate Women's History Month.

This year marked the tenth anniversary of Ensler's Vagina Monologues, and William Paterson University's ninth year of performing it on stage. Ensler's movement, called V-Day, has raised more than 30 million in the global fight opposing violence against women, and has created social networks around the world to shelter women in need. Celebrities like Jessica Alba, Jane Fonda, Glen Close, and Whoopi Goldberg have all participated in the show.

"The show is important because people need to know the power that resonates from the vagina," said Vagina Warrior Ruthann Thompson. "It is a very empowering piece for women who might not be as liberated, like some of us are."

The monologues covered a wide range of topics, from "What would your vagina wear," to the voice of an "Angry Vagina" and "Vagina Discovery." The warriors also read statistics on female genital mutilation, rape as tactic of war, and childhood abuse and rape.

Theater professor Dr. Elizabeth Stroppel has been apart of the show for nine years.

"This is such a wonderful collaborative effort between students," said Stroppel.

Although the monologues were based on the female experience, men were visible throughout the audience.

"I've come for the past two years," said Fred Henry, senior film major. "[The] best stuff is the statistics, but it bothers me that guys can't get involved in it."

The end of the show is followed by a question and answer segment, where cast members got feedback from the audience. The cast revealed on the final night of the show, that they all felt liberated.

Cast member Pam Yesenosky yelled out to the audience, "At least every woman should look at her vagina!"

All proceeds from the production will be donated to the women's shelter Strengthen Our Sisters, Inc of West Milford. The shelter harbors battered and homeless women, and aims for promoting female empowerment.

Through the vital part of a woman's body, The Vagina Monologues evoked a sense of female community and strength. All women can visit vday.org to read on the history of The Vagina Monologues, and how they can contribute to the cause.

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