The Earthquake Aftermath: Haiti

The story of the women of Haiti is one filled with heartbreak.  These women no longer have homes or support systems and face assaults on a regular basis.  Because of the horrific experiences these women have had to endure, Eve Ensler has chosen Haiti as the spotlight campaign for The Vagina Monologues ({2011}).

Please consider showing your support by attending the show in the M-Shop (February 10th @ 5:30p, February 11th @ 6 and 9p), purchasing a chocolate vagina (for sale in the Sloss House), or making an outright donation to our campaign.

10% of all funds will benefit the women of Haiti.  The remaining 90% will be donated to ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support) so they can continue to provide invaluable services to the survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Here is more information about the services offered by ACCESS:

All services provided by ACCESS are free and confidential.  To learn more about their services or to set up an appointment with an advocate, call (515) 292-5378.

• 24-hour Crisis Line: Listening, support, information and advocacy
• Shelter: Safe, temporary housing for women and their children.
• Children’s Programs: Counseling, advocacy, outings, and play groups.
• Individual Counseling: Short-term counseling to adult survivors of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, or domestic violence or dating violence.
• Support Groups: Support groups for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and children who have experienced or witnessed family violence.
• Advocacy: Support, information and referrals for clients working with the legal, medical, or social service systems.
• Community Education: Educational programming to schools, community groups, organizations and agencies.
• Crisis Response Services
• SART (Story County Sexual Assault Response Team): Crisis support and on-going advocacy.
• Call 29-ALERT (292-5378) to speak with an ACCESS volunteer about your options.

Please contact the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center with any questions about the V-Day Campaign. 515-294-4154 or womenctr@iastate.edu

The Vagina Monologues!

Well friends, we are officially in V-Season!  The Iowa State ({2011}) V-Day campaign to end violence against women is in full swing.  For those of you unfamiliar with The Vagina Monologues, do we have a treat for you!

Here’s a sneak peak from the playwright herself, Eve Ensler:

Since 1996, The Vagina Monologues have been shocking and delighting audiences across the globe.  The Vagina Warriors at Iowa State are proud to perform this year’s show.  For the past month, we have been talking about vaginas, creating paper vaginas, selling chocolate vaginas, and rehearsing monologues about vaginas.  Through the sisterhood of the cast, we are excited to bring you a show that not only promises to entertain, but raises awareness about the very serious topic of domestic and sexual violence.

The mission of the V-Day campaign is at the heart of each Vagina Warriors:

V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.

V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.

V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.

V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.

V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.

V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.

V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine’s Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.

V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Join us!

Performances in the Memorial Union Maintenance Shop:

Thursday, February 10th @ 5:30pm – Join us for a brief discussion after the show to learn how you can work to end violence throughout the year.

Friday, February 11th @ 6:00pm – We are proud to provide American Sign Language interpreters at this show!

Friday, February 11th @ 9:00pm

Tickets are on sale at the M-Shop.  Students pay $12 with an ISU i.d. and community members pay $15.  Chocolate vaginas will be available for purchase at all shows.  Visit us in the West Student Office Space booth on Monday, January 31; Tuesday, February 1; Thursday, February 10; and Friday, February 11 to purchase “I Respect Vaginas” t-shirts and chocolates.

All proceeds from the show go to benefit the Ames Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS).  Last year we were able to raise $5,000.  Help us surpass that this year!

Questions? Contact Liz Steinborn at the MSWC: eas123@iastate.edu

The Vagina Monologues

Be a part of something amazing!  Join the Vagina Warriors and audition for “The Vagina Monologues”!

The Vagina Monologues were created by Eve Ensler to end violence against women and children. V-Day is a global activist movement to stop violence against women and girls.  V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations.

All funds raised by the Vagina Warriors through The Vagina Monologues will go to benefit ACCESS.

V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sex slavery.

Join the fight and audition!  Don’t want to get on stage?  No problem!  We are looking for people to get involved with fundraising and advertising.

Auditions at the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center:
Monday, November 15 from 6-8pm
Tuesday, November 16 from 8-10pm
Wednesday, November 17 from 11am-1pm

Contact Christine Peterson. Liz Steinborn, or any of the Vagina Warriors to find out more information about Iowa State’s participation in the V-Day Campaign.

Email:
petey10@iastate.edu
eas123@iastate.edu

And who doesn’t want to sit around and talk about vaginas all day?!