Talking vaginas

Ferris breaks barriers and celebrates femininity

On Feb. 19, “The Vagina Monologues” was brought to Ferris to spotlight issues surrounding womanhood, and to encourage open discussion about them.
On Feb. 19, “The Vagina Monologues” was brought to Ferris to spotlight issues surrounding womanhood, and to encourage open discussion about them. Photo by: Chris Martin | Photographer

Social stigmas around expressing womanhood came crashing down as Ferris students brought “The Vagina Monologues” to the William’s Auditorium stage.

The play was performed on Feb. 19 as a part of V-day, a global movement to end violence against girls and women. It was written by Eve Ensler in 1996 and was compiled into a series of monologues after interviewing over 200 women. The series is meant to open the channel between characters and audience members, covering topics such as sex, rape, birth, menstruation, love and language.

“I was surprised at first,” said Ferris criminal justice sophomore Garret Gresly. “It made me nervous at first because I’m a male, but it was definitely funny and I enjoyed it.”

The preshow celebration began at 6 p.m. and featured display tables ready to discuss related topics such as safe sex and human trafficking. As the lights dimmed in the auditorium, leaders of the Social Work Association gave thanks to the various participants and supporters they received for the performance.

The Social Work Association (SWA) also announced the success of the recent bra drive, which collected 371 bras for women in need. Proceeds from the show went to support Women’s Information Services Inc. (WISE), a local nonprofit organization that cares for women in dangerous situations.

The play itself consisted of multiple episodes covering a wide range of topics involving female anatomy and sexual consent. The entire concept of the monologues revolved around the idea that vagina is just a word and shouldn’t be considered dirty or inappropriate, but rather embraced as an important part of the female body and the feminine experience.

“I didn’t know what to expect and I was a little surprised,” said Ferris criminal justice junior AnnMarie Clay. “But as it progressed, it made me really proud to be a woman.”