March
29, 2002
Vagina
Monologues Production Raises $2,745 for Local Shelter
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Photo: Fred Leblanc
Frances
Perkins Scholar Simone Irizarry (left) presents Melinda
Thomas, development coordinator of Womanshelter/Compañeras,
with a check for $2,745 from the College. The funds were
raised from ticket sales and sponsorship of MHC's performance
of The Vagina Monologues February 14 and 16.
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What more fitting
encore could result from an MHC February 14 and 16 production
of playwright Eve Ensler's internationally acclaimed monologues
about how various women view their vaginas than a large donation
to a local women's shelter that supports victims of domestic violence.
MHC students have been performing the Monologues annually
for the past four years as part of the "V-Day College Campaign"
that has swept the country, but in the past, the audience was
asked for contributions for local domestic-violence programs,
and tickets were free. This year, local businesses served as sponsors
of the show, and tickets were $3 to $5, although a number of tickets
were set aside for victims of domestic violence, and for those
who could not afford the ticket fee. The result was a fundraising
coup. On March 7, Frances Perkins Scholar Simone Irizarry, the
show's producer, presented Melinda Thomas, development coordinator
of the Holyoke-based Womanshelter/Compañeras, with a check
for $2,745.
The Vagina Monologues,
which was first performed by Ensler Off Off Broadway in 1996,
has often been used as a means of raising funds for groups working
against domestic violence. Annual events held on February 14 have
led to a "V-Day" movement centered on community performances
of the Monologues. A V-Day fund, drawing from those benefits
and a percentage of the receipts from The Vagina Monologues
book sales and commercial productions, was established in 1998
to support "groups that work to end rape, battery, incest,
and genital mutilation."
This was the first
year that businesses were asked to sponsor the production, and
Diamond Automotive of South Hadley, Precious Paws of Northampton,
Mondazzi Emporium of South Hadley, and the Planned Parenthood
League of Massachusetts backed the show.
Womanshelter/Compañeras
had high praise for all involved in the production. "Successful
seems too bland a word to describe your fundraising efforts on
our behalf. Stellar may be more apt," wrote Melinda Thomas
in a letter of thanks. "The students' production of
The Vagina Monologues incorporated the best of everything
I believe Ensler intended—professionalism, passion, advocacy—and
then some. To raise public awareness about such an important issue
is a noble end in itself, but to accomplish this and raise $2,745
at the same time is nothing short of astounding. This all goes
to prove once again that your students have leadership qualities
that go far beyond "talking the talk." They are putting
their beliefs into actions that directly benefit others, and so
the impact of their work is immediate and far reaching."
This year's show
was directed by Christina Gagliardi '02, and Jill Shelly
'02 served as the show's assistant director. MHC's
Sexual Health Educators (SHE), coordinated by Karen Jacobus, director
of health education at MHC, served as volunteers in numerous capacities.
Kris Bergbom, assistant director of operations for student programs,
was "instrumental in creating a wonderful performance space
at Chapin," according to Irizarry and Jacobus.
Notes Jacobus, "MHC
has been in the forefront of the V-Day college initiative in performing
The Vagina Monologues. This year was the most successful
in attendance and amount of money raised for Womenshelter/Compañeras.
The Office of Health Education/Health Services has supported this
incredible and worthwhile effort each year and will be proud to
do so in the future."
counter
is
3,389
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