By Taylor Hawkins
William Peace University Sophomore Class Council will be presenting “The Vagina Monologues” April 24-25th at 7:30 p.m. in Leggett Theater.
This student-led performance will address topics such as “hair, rape, homosexuality, sex, slavery, female genital mutilations and orgasms,” according to the event’s web page.
“I hope people will understand that by not acknowledging over half of the world’s population, women are effectively being silenced,” said Emily Giangrande, a WPU sophomore.
“The Vagina Monologues is a way to let people know women are important.”
The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler that is based around “vagina interviews” she conducted.
Both students and faculty will be participating.
“I saw it performed on Broadway 15 years ago and it’s a very inspiring and empowering experience,” said Dr. Kayce Meginnis- Payne, head of the Women’s Studies department at WPU.
“I was extremely thrilled that Emily Giangrande invited me to participate.”
Meginnis-Payne says this show will promote self-acceptance, truth, and liberation.
Women are given the option of coming to terms with their own sexuality and becoming more comfortable with the word “vagina”.
Meginnis-Payne said, “After teaching a whole semester of Women Studies, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and do as I tell my students and participate in activism.”
Last year, the show had a very large turnout and raised over 500 dollars to donate to V-day and Interact of Wake County.
“I would love in future years for even more support to be given,” Meginnis-Payne said.