Being part of The Vagina Monologues is something that I have always wanted to do. Both my mom and my cousin took part in other productions of this show and I liked the idea of being able to follow in their footsteps. This is about my experience participating in The Vagina Monologues this year. As a woman, I feel that it is very empowering to take part in a show like this. Though I have done theatre before, this show is completely different from anything else I have ever done. It is a much more intimate show and you really have to put yourself out there. You’re vulnerable, which is not always easy.

Being a part of this production, I felt that I had a responsibility to the women who wrote the monologues to tell their stories in the best possible way, as well as to make sure that the audience would understand why these stories need to be told and why a show like this needs to be performed.

Not all women are brave enough to share their own stories and I hope that a show like this will inspire them to do so. As hard as some of these monologues are to listen to, they are all based on true events and we need to recognize that these kind of situations actually happen and to support survivors. These are real stories based on real experiences, which is what makes them so meaningful.

It is also important that men attend a show like this because it can help them to understand what it is like for women and see the kinds of things that we go through each and every day.

Being part of this year’s Vagina Monologues has benefitted me as a person because it has made me more open, and it has definitely made talking about vaginas and women’s experiences much easier. I would definitely want to participate in this show again – it was such an enjoyable experience and something that all women should take part in if they want to. I hope that a show like this will start conversations about women’s experiences. We need to make this a year-round discussion. It is also important to have other kinds of events that focus on women’s experiences so talking about this topic becomes more comfortable.

I am glad to have been part of a show that can inspire other women to feel comfortable with who they are and to have witnessed how a monologue can make an impact on so many people.

With the recent sexual assault and harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, to name a couple, the issue of sexual violence is no longer being hidden away. There seems to be a far more open conversation and a number of celebrities are coming forward to reveal their experiences. Thanks to the people speaking out and the increasing social pressure to act against the perpetrators, we are beginning to see consequences for the people accused. For example, Kevin Spacey, who has played the lead character on the Netflix drama House of Cards for the past several years, is now being removed from the show. According to a statement from Netflix, the streaming service “will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey, we will continue to work with MRC [Media Rights Capital Studio] during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.” This action against Spacey demonstrates that someone cannot rely on fame to avoid the consequences of what they are accused of. Although this is not a legal consequence, it is nice to see the industry beginning to hold these men accountable for their actions.

In response to the people revealing their experiences of abuse in Hollywood, many celebrities are coming together in solidarity to support each other in this situation. An example of this is the cast and crew of the CW drama One Tree Hill. Mark Schwahn, the showrunner and creator of the series, has been accused of sexual harassment by 18 women who were involved in the series. They spoke about the allegations against him in an open letter which has been widely viewed, while many of the male co-stars on One Tree Hill voiced their support and solidarity for all of these women on Twitter.

Sexual violence is such a serious issue, so why has it been ignored for so long? It is sad to realize that so many people have suffered in a place that seemed so perfect up until now. Many cases of sexual harassment and violence have been revealed, and it is shocking to find out how many people are affected. This situation makes you question if Hollywood was ever a safe place and if people will look at fame the same way again. We need to keep this conversation going and continue to show solidarity, or else we will not be able to create change. Sexual violence is not something that should be hidden. It is our duty to create a voice for all of the people who have experienced sexual violence and harassment.

When the women and gender studies (WGST) executive members were brainstorming what events they wanted to have for their society, they knew that they wanted something that would have a strong impact on both the University community and the town itself. When the event Take Back The Night was brought up, they knew that it would fit the bill.

Take Back The Night (TBTN) is a worldwide volunteer organization promoting awareness against sexual abuse and violence.

Even though Mt. A is a small university and Sackville is a small town, sexual abuse happens here. It is important to take action against sexual violence, and TBTN provides a platform from which to do this.

Tasia Alexopoulos, former WGST professor, spoke at the event. “Sackville and Mount Allison aren’t unique: all towns, all universities, all institutions ignore and diminish violence,” she said. “This can’t just be about being safe on the streets, tonight. This is about social justice. Until there is justice for all, until we’re all safe, then there won’t be peace for anyone.”

WGST executive member Cara MacKenzie said, “It’s also important to note that while we had no issues with direct counter-protest, that does not mean we are not constantly coming up against people and policy that stand in opposition to the safety we demand. We marched past abusers. That’s a fact that we must acknowledge. We were together then but people on this campus are forced to see their abusers constantly and frequently without the protection of a group. It’s unacceptable.”

“This isn’t about being equally violent,” said Alexopoulos. “It’s about creating pressure, resistance, being disruptive and intervening. Oppressing people shouldn’t be easy. Exploiting people shouldn’t be easy. Hurting people shouldn’t be easy. Tonight and every day, let’s make it harder.”

Kana Tagawa, another WGST student attending the event said, “Many people try to ignore the issue of sexual violence happening here in Sackville. It is important that we raise our voices so that this issue can be taken seriously … and solutions can be brought to victims of sexual violence.”

On the night of the rally, a group of students and faculty gathered at the Student Centre to listen to speeches and light candles before heading out on the walk. Participants learned chants and cheers as they began their march. Despite the night’s rain, participants did not falter in their peaceful protest.

Amber Quinn, one of the organizers of the event, said, “I think that people often assume the numbers of sexual violence are lower in smaller communities. It’s important for people to acknowledge that this is an ongoing problem everywhere and that the size of the community doesn’t determine the number of violences that take place.”

The event raised awareness of sexual violence and the need for change in Sackville and the Mt. A community in order to create a safer space for all, reminding us all that even the light of the smallest candle will brighten the darkness.