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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

V-Day



Happy Vagina Day!

You expected me to say Happy Valentines Day?

Two years ago, Valentines Day, I saw the play, The Vagina Monologues, at Oakland University. I went with three other women. We met for dinner and had enough drinks to start our comedic quips about what we were going to see. The sold out performance was attended by both men and women, not just college students, but of all ages. I though I was going for the comedy, and yes, there is plenty of it. What sobered me up was the message.

"The Vagina Monologues is based on Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women. With humor and grace the piece celebrates women's sexuality and strength. V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. The 'V' in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina."

I took those words from the V-Day site. I hope you save the link at the bottom of this post, take the time to read it and pass it on. We pass on email chain letters and jokes, this link is definitely worth passing on.

One particular part of the play I liked was the explanation of "Vagina Warriors." Once you become aware of the violence women and girls all over the world experience, you can't deny that you should be a warrior against what is happening. As in anything, once you are made aware, you can't pretend it doesn't happen. After the play my girlfriends and I decided we needed to become warriors and therefore we had to have warrior names.

My hope is that when it is scheduled at Oakland University this year, I can get a girls-night-out together and go see it. (I checked, it's not posted yet) 

Now I will tell you about my warrior name. Men readers, you may stop here or get a lesson, in part, of what happens at our annual exams. We all know that the speculum has the shape and look of duck bills. Even though our doctors insist they are kept on a warming tray, the are as cold as our Michigan winters when they are using them! With that in mind ... I wish you all a Happy V-Day and a Happy Valentine's Day.

"Warm Duck Lips Please"
My Vagina Warrior Name

http://www.vday.org/main.html

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Been the victim (as a child), many years, plenty aware, 'IT NEVER GOES AWAY'!!
Turning 50, living, loving and enjoying life, but like a monster in your nightmares, see hear or smell a reminder, it's there, it's always there..........

Nancy said...

Anon: I just read your comment, thank you for leaving it.

There can never be too many reminders that many women and girls are abused everyday, and that it stays with us everyday ... for the rest of our lives.