2008 Woodie Awards
'Vagina Monologues' begins performance tonight
Jessica Medeiros and Erin Shea
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
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URI's Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services Program organized the performance, which seeks to empower women while raising awareness about violence against women.
The organization, which has no program budget, relies on the proceeds from the performance for funding.
"This is really our No. 1 fundraiser," program coordinator Keith Labelle said. "We use the proceeds to help victims of rape and sexual assault here at URI."
Labelle said he hopes for a large crowd, not only for financial reasons, but also because it is important to spread awareness about violence against women on campus.
"These sorts of things happen at URI just as much as anywhere else," Labelle said.
While the name of the play may be deceiving, Labelle said the performance is as entertaining and valuable for men as it is for women.
"It's not just important for women to see this play," he said. "We have to address men and women having healthy relationships, and issues like sexual assault and rape."
URI senior Lisa-Marie Carroll, who is in the play, agreed.
"They all have girlfriends, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, and these are all issues that both concern them and the people around them, the people that they love," she said.
Assistant Director for Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services Program Jennifer Longa Moio said while men may be reluctant to attend, the performance shows women expressing themselves with an honesty they might not encounter anywhere else.
"It's just fun to see guys who don't know what to expect and they are a little surprised," Longa Moio said. "Guys just aren't used to seeing women at a college level talking like this."
The play consists of skits with a variety of messages, some funny, others somber. Longa Moio said while they are all important and entertaining, some may leave more of an impact.
"The most powerful skits are the ones that deal with international violence," she said. "Today people know that there is sexual assault and domestic violence, but they are less aware of issues such as female genital mutilation and sexual assault. They may hear it on the news, but they see a whole different side of it in the play."