Spring 2012 - Clarion University

More documents

Recommendations

Info

I n 2001, I discovered the script for Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues at the annual PASSHE Women’s Consortium Conference. The show was so radical at the time that Louann Williams, director of PASSAGES, Inc., our first beneficiary, feared the agency would lose their faithful donors. On the other hand, Mel Michel remained unruffled. She had complete confidence in <strong>Clarion</strong>’s readiness for Ensler’s message. Many of my students and I couldn’t even say “vagina” without blushing. We’d say “vah” and stop. We’d whisper “vagina” and then cover our faces with our hands. We could not say the V-word with a straight face. However, we took our role to promote the show seriously. Recognizing we dare not utter, “Come to ‘The Vah… Monologues’, or start giggling in the middle of explaining what the VDay cause stood for, the students and I made a pact. We promised to say “vagina” 50 times a day until we could say it with confidence. We also named our vaginas to feel close to this emerging source of empowerment. Twelve years later, the sounds I most associate with the WGS Center are the voices of Vagina Warriors practicing their parts. All manner of moans in high and low pitches, ranting at the top of lungs, muted, sensual tones and gut-deep laughter penetrated my office door. I wonder at the variety of activities the casts enjoyed “to bond,” they said. I purchased a pink carpet for a slumber party in the Center. There were sex toy parties, selling Sheetz coupons, vagina cookies and vagina lollipops to raise funds. Student organizations got involved by draping banners from the Chapel’s balcony railings, decorating tees for the Clothesline Project. Once we simulated a vagina with all manner of pink, red and purple fabric at the auditorium entrance. The next three writers share their standpoint on the power of Ensler’s work. They show what speaking the word “vagina” without hesitation, fanfare or judgment means. They break through the silence that surrounds gender violence. Gifted poet Maya Angelou warns, “words get on the walls and into the wall paper. They get in the rugs and they get into us.” I hope she is right. After 20 years of women-centered community, I like thinking that silly ideas and giggles, the “aha” moments of insight, and turning “pain into power” vagina stories, are still there ready to “get into” others. { } 33 { }
Dying to Bridgette Shaw, Biology Major SuRViVe I damaged myself, now I’m no good, I’ve never felt worse, and I did what I could; my brain never rests, replaying that night, he wounded my soul, as I put up a fight; I was helpless, forgotten, I wanted to hide, crawl into a shell, stay there ‘til I died; I struggle each day, to believe what I’m told, that it’s not my fault, that I’m very bold; most days I just feel, worthless and scarred, I’m nothing to anyone, Just something to discard; that’s no way to think, if you want to survive, you must accept that you’re broken, but still be able to thrive! your thoughts that you channel, each morning you wake, must lift and encourage, for your own sake; even though I endured, the most insufferable act, I must persevere, it’s the only way to react; for when you’re torn down, there’s no other place to be, than to stand yourself up, and set yourself free 34
Page 1 and 2: I am a feminist-woman, a war-is-not
Page 3 and 4: OurCollective Legacy Staff carly ma
Page 5 and 6: Congratulations to the Women & gend
Page 7 and 8: Running the VictoRyLap Deborah Burg
Page 9 and 10: PRioR Prior to WGS I worked as an a
Page 11 and 12: The first Clarion Women’s Confere
Page 13 and 14: were willing to work hard. And what
Page 15 and 16: EaRLy on as director, I felt the fl
Page 17 and 18: I hummed Holly Near’s song, Somet
Page 19 and 20: I first heard of the illustrious
Page 21 and 22: and we wanted to create a very spec
Page 23 and 24: love relationship between Bella and
Page 25 and 26: To keep pace with the advantages of
Page 27 and 28: facuLty acknowLeD gements Thank you
Page 29 and 30: 1995 Town Meetings and Oral History
Page 31 and 32: 2008 An Evening with Eve Eve Ensler
Page 33 and 34: Lindsay abbott Jaime adams Latasha
Page 35: J ouRney to Feminist LanD Carly Mas
Page 39 and 40: Mel Michel, theatre faculty, spoke
Page 41 and 42: “I always knew I cared about gend
Page 43 and 44: dren who follow “the Americans”
Page 45 and 46: suitcase we were permitted to take,
Page 47 and 48: In their best wishes that follow, M
Page 49 and 50: photoVoice: I Do Who you think i am
Page 51 and 52: WE end where we began in 1992 - rai
Page 53 and 54: Dear Dr. Deb, “I know you’re ve
Page 56: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time in

Spring 2012 - Clarion University

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?