V not just vagina

By Alyssa Tomasello

After two years in exile, the "Vagina Monologues" returned to campus in hope of educating the students during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The "Vagina Monologues" is a world wide theatrical production created by Eve Ensler that is based on interviews with over 200 women detailing various aspects of female sexuality. The production gives voice to women across the world, voicing a woman's deepest fantasies and fears.

The "Vagina Monologues" was first taken off campus in 2008, when controversy arose over the explicit sexual nature of the production. Former university President Paul Locatelli, S.J., received complaints from the Cardinal Newman Society, a group dedicated to preserving Catholic values on college campuses.

In attempts to avoid conflict, student coordinator Kristin Schmitz and her team chose to move the production off campus. This move was made in order to ensure that the focus of the production would remain on the core issue -- sexual assault and female sexuality.

With the transition from President Locatelli to the university's current president, Fr. Michael Engh, S.J., students hoped that change would occur. Unfortunately, in 2009, the "Vagina Monologues" was housed off campus at the American Legion Center for the second consecutive year.

Although Jeana Williams and Joelle Strickland, the two student producers of the 2009 show, made attempts to persuade him, Engh decided to adhere to the status quo. In a Jan. 28, 2009 letter addressed to Williams and Strickland, he responded saying "Given the many initiatives already underway, and the shortness of the time frame you proposed, I have concluded that it is best not to support the initiative this year."

This year, students paired with members of the Women's and Gender Studies Program and began working on "Monologues" early in order to avoid an unreasonable time frame. Despite the heavy criticisms, advocates of the show did not let the history influence their push for change.

Channing McCabe, a 2009 graduate of Santa Clara, who is now a staff member of the university, was a key player in the return of "Monologues" to campus. "I knew the girls that had originally started ("Vagina Monologues"). I also sat in on the initial meetings with Fr. Engh as we pushed to return this to campus," said McCabe.

After numerous meetings and various debates, the verdict was in: "Vagina Monologues" would be allowed to return to campus. Following suit of other Jesuit universities such as Loyola Marymount University, Georgetown University and Boston College, Engh made the choice to participate in the V-Day movement that "Vagina Monologues" supports.

Although this was undoubtedly a long process, McCabe, along with other members involved would surely do it again. "Yes, there were many hurdles to jump, and yes, this was an extremely difficult process, but the end result has been so worth it. I whole-heartedly believe that this is a victory to the women of Santa Clara," McCabe said. "But not only is it a victory for Santa Clara women, it is also a victory for the Women's and Gender Studies Program, for the community and even for the men of Santa Clara."

In a message from the directors, featured in the program, directors Kandace Arens and Christine Keating said, "V is for vagina, for victory, for voice." Their statement reaffirms McCabe when she said, "For the university to come out and to support us and to acknowledge us is the utmost victory. It brings it to a completely new level. Not only is the "Vagina Monologues" educational but it is also such a powerful and amazing show."

This year's "Vagina Monologues," housed in the sold-out Recital Hall, proved to be an incredible success. By allowing the event back on campus there was a greater amount of student participation and attendance. The show, which featured over 40 Santa Clara women, was standing room only. "The fact that we were able to advertise on campus took the event to a different level. By tabling in Benson and putting up flyers all over campus, especially in the dorms, we were able to reach the younger classes who may have not have ever heard of us before. Not only did this heighten popularity, but it also brought in so much money for our cause," said McCabe.

To date, the V-Day movement has raised over 70 million dollars, reaching 740 colleges in the U.S., 67 of which are in California. The proceeds from the "Vagina Monologues" at Santa Clara are going directly to the women of Homesafe and to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Homesafe, a SCCAP sponsored nonprofit organization, is a center that provides services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Other funds will be donated to efforts to stop sex trafficking and slavery of young girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The return of the "Vagina Monologues" to campus marks a turning point for the university. It stands as a beacon symbolizing a strong commitment by the faculty, staff, students and community of Santa Clara as they stand together as brothers and sisters in attempts to stop gendered violence.

Contact Alyssa Tomasello at atomasello@scu.edu or at (408) 554-1918.