Association for women students host ‘monologues”

Last Tuesday, the Association of Women Students hosted “The Vagina Monologues” in the Mocha Room of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. The original “Vagina Monologues” play was written by Eve Ensler to bring awareness to V-Day – violence against women and girls – and to provide a positive medium for women to express their sexuality.
AWS’s events coordinator, Christen Beal, a senior history major from Atlanta was impressed by the audience turnout and expressed her delight for the sometimes controversial subject.
“The monologues are about the embracement of women and their sexuality. That’s nothing to be ashamed about,” said Beal.
Packed in the tiny room, members of AWS performed pieces titled,”I was 12, My Mother Slapped Me,” “Because He Like to Look at It” and a piece inspired by a Bosnian rape victim called “My Vagina Was A Village.”
Lauren Hill, sophomore business management and Spanish major from Birmingham who performed “My Vagina Was A Village,” felt the program was a breath of fresh air for the campus.
“I thought the program was much needed on campus,” said Hill. “It helps young women gain self-respect.”
Houma native Derra Howard serves as AWS’s director of promotions. The junior mass communications major got the idea from a friend who performed the monologues at Nicholls State University. After reading the book, Howard decided to bring the play to Southern University.
“No one talks about vaginas on a positive level. It’s something that needs to be talked about and expressed,” said Howard. “Women should be aware of their bodies.”
Howard said that she and other members of AWS were actively searching for other programs for the student body.
Student Government Association President Carey Ash was in attendance to support AWS and the direction the organization was heading.
“It’s always good to see strong black women expressing themselves in a positive and enlightening manner,” said Ash. The president went on to say how he was impressed with the leadership of AWS and its volunteers.
Although everyone in attendance was satisfied with the program, Clarissa Granger, a junior mass communication major from Port Arthur, TX hopes AWS will steer away from the forum setup and continue to provide interactive programs like “The Vagina Monologues.”
“I enjoyed every monologue. They made a statement…for women to appreciate themselves more. I would like to see more activities like ‘The Vagina Monologues’,” Granger said.
Granger ended with commenting on how to her, AWS performing the monologues was thinking outside the box.