Inspired by their desire to foster sisterhood and support programs to end violence against women and girls, Vermont Law students will host a “V-Day” event on Saturday, March 1, in the Chase Community Center on the Vermont Law School campus. Proceeds will benefit Safeline, a local nonprofit that works to end physical, emotional and sexual violence.
“V-Day” is a global movement that works to increase awareness and provide support for anti-violence organizations. Vermont Law’s three-part production will include a reception featuring the work of local artists and poets, an adaptation of Eve Ensler’s episodic play “The Vagina Monologues,” and a performance in poetry and dance of Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf.”
“The inspiration behind the collaboration between ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide’ and ‘Vagina Monologues’ is sisterhood,” said Vermont Law student Kelly Spencer ’14, who is directing both performances. “It was important that this year’s production showcase diversity.”
“Women are strong beings, but we endure various trials and tribulations, and we need our sisters for support,” Spencer said. “A woman who can relate to another woman, and lift her up when she is low, is of immeasurable worth. In this performance, we celebrate that bond through spoken word. We celebrate our uniqueness, and those things that unite us in sisterhood.”
The program will also highlight the “One Billion Rising” campaign, a global call that asks people to take a stand and put an end to violence against women. According to the campaign, “one-third of [women in the world] are raped or beaten.”
Vermont Law School’s “V-Day” event, sponsored by the Law Students for Reproductive Justice and Black Law Students Association, will be held Saturday, March 1, with an opening reception at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Local artists are encouraged to display their work at the reception, particularly pieces that deal with topics of sexuality, sexual violence, gender identity, and other themes related to the movement against violence. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Suggested admission donations are $5 for advance tickets, $7 at the door, with all proceeds benefitting Safeline. For more information about the program, email Megan McLaurin ’14, event producer, at meganmclaurin@vermontlaw.edu or call 910-200-6130.