Do you know about V-Day? The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. It is a global activist movement to stop violence against women and girls. Wherever you are in the world search here to locate events, explore why V-Day started back in 1998, and try out the character combination ({}) to show solidarity!
A wealth of events this week in the Greater Lansing Area embrace the spirit of V-Day. On Tuesday, Feb. 15, from 5:30-6:30pm, the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing Book Club discusses Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. The book is based on interviews with over 200 women about their memories and experiences of sexuality. For more information about the WCGL Book Club, please see its Facebook event listing.
Also on Tuesday, I am being interviewed about The HerStories Project on MSU’s student radio IMPACT 89FM. The program Exposure begins at 7pm and my slot runs last, around 7:45pm. Besides talking about the HerStories 2011 kick-off event Embodying Our Words (see below), I’ll also read new poetry!
The creative writing circle The Writing Room meets this Thursday, Feb. 17, from 7-9pm at the WCGL. Our optional prompt will take inspiration from V-Day!
Embodying Our Words takes place on MSU campus Friday, Feb. 18 (12:30-5pm), and at WCGL Saturday, Feb. 19 (9am-7:30pm). The free program explores embodied writing, which draws upon life stories of gender expression, cultural survival, healing from violence, dis/abilities, spiritual activism, and more. Guests include Lauren Spencer of the MSU LGBT Resource Center, Lansing Online News contributor Therese Dawe, and Professor Mary Catherine Harper of Defiance College (Ohio). Registration is encouraged! Also, EOW participants are recommended to attend the MSU Vagina Monologues (see below).
The MSU Vagina Monologues is a production that benefits the MSU Sexual Assault Program. Performances run the evening of Feb. 18, as well as the afternoon and evening of Feb. 19. Tickets can be purchased online, and student discounts are available.
