Students Use Drama, Fundraisers to Support Local Charity

Continuing a tradition of support for the Grady County Women's Service and Family Resource Center, the student-led Feminist Collective at the University of Science and Arts will again use drama and fundraisers to support the organization. The Collective has supported the Resource Center since 2001.

The annual events are part of the V-Day College Campaign. V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations.

Through V-Day campaigns, local volunteers and college students produce annual benefit performances to raise awareness and funds for anti-violence groups within their own communities.

The Feminist Collective has already held a bake sale and Congo Teach-In as part of this year's activities. The Congo Teach-In highlighted the crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). National organizations including V-Day, Enough and STAND created the presentation that has been used at Teach-Ins around the world.

The V-Day campaign culminates with the student production, “The Vagina Monologues,” March 5 and 7 at 8 p.m. in the Davis Hall Theatre. Penned by award-winning writer Eve Ensler, the play is aimed at a mature audience due to content and language. A donation of $10 per person will be accepted at the door.

"The Vagina Monologues are always moving in so many ways -- tears, laughter and contemplation," said Sarah Powers, an English major from Lawton and coordinator of this year's activities. "This year's spotlight is on the situation for women and girls in the Congo, where they are raped and abused on an enormous scale. I hope our show both benefits the Women's Service Center and encourages our audience to do something about the violence in the Congo and elsewhere."

Cast members include Powers; Dr. Shelley Rees, assistant professor of English; Melody Dobbins, an English major from Tuttle; Jessica Anthony; Carlena Murray-Davis, a history major from Jones; Bridgette Bullock, an art major from Oklahoma City; Nikki Garland, an elementary education major from Harrah; Jamie Lindenmeier, a bachelor of fine arts major from Greenwood, Del.; Michelle Bivins, a drama major from Edmond; Megan Solomon, a music major from Chickasha, and Dr. Jeannette M. Loutsch, assistant professor of biology.

The cast also includes Whitney Whitaker, a drama major from Chickasha; Tegan Switzer, Leah Oxenford, and Rhonda Baughman, a drama major from Chickasha. Zachary McGrew, an English major from Lawton, directs the production.

In 2008, more than 4,000 V-Day benefit events took place produced by volunteers in the United States and around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls.

All proceeds for the V-Day events on the USAO campus benefit the Grady County Women’s Service and Family Resource Center.