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University, local community reading of ‘The Vagina Monologues’ to raise funds for local sexual assault center

The Georgia Southern University chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) will host a reading of “The Vagina Monologues,” on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Russell Union Ballroom on the Statesboro Campus, to raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit organization, V-Day and the local nonprofit, the Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center (SRSAC).

In an effort to end taboos about female and female-identified sexuality, “The Vagina Monologues,” written by Eve Ensler, explores the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement of this experience. The dialogue is made of up personal monologues and is typically performed by a diverse group people exploring everything from sex and love to body image and childbearing.

“The ‘Vagina Monologues’ fundraising show has been on this campus for over a decade and raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofits,” said Lisa A. Costello, Ph.D., co-advisor for Georgia Southern NOW and director of the University’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. “It is a labor of love for students, faculty and especially for cast members, who volunteer their time to rehearse and perform the show. The most important message from the show is that we should not be silent about violence or harassment against women, women-identified, non-binary and non-conforming folks.”

In honor of V-Day and the 20th anniversary of the play’s first performance, the University Chapter will donate 90 percent of the proceeds from the performance to SRSAC. SRSAC has been a full sexual assault center since 2006 and provides a 24/7 crisis hotline for the community. Trained professionals at the Center perform medical forensic examinations and forensic interviews for women and children.

The last 10 percent of funds raised will be donated to to V-Day, a nonprofit that distributes funds to organizations that work to stop violence against women. V-Day stemmed from the mission of the “Vagina Monologues,” and has raised more than $100 million for groups working to end violence against women and children. Each year, thousands of colleges, communities and organizations around the globe perform the play to benefit V-Day organizations in their communities.

Tickets will be pre-sold for $10 at the Rotunda on the Statesboro Campus from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 1, 6 and 7, and at the Southeast Plaza of Russell Union on the Statesboro Campus Feb. 12 and 13. Tickets will be available for $12 at the door on the day of the performance.

To learn more about V-Day on the Statesboro Campus call (912) 478-7978 or email the organization advisors at lacostello@georgiasouthern.edu or cburns@georgiasouthern.edu. To learn more about V-Day and its campaigns visit www.vday.org.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 142 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Savannah, Statesboro, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

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