Western Illinois University Helps Out Charity With ‘Vagina Monologues’ Performance
MACOMB, IL – For more than two decades, Western Illinois University’s annual spring performance of “The Vagina Monologues” has existed to serve two purposes: to stop violence against women and girls and to raise fund for the Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) Victim Services.
Recently, WIU presented the WIRC-CAA Victim Services with a check for $1,270.50 from the Spring 2020 performance. “The Vagina Monologues” is part of V-Day, a global activist movement, stemming from playwright Eve Ensler’s award winning play and other artistic works. In the past, the V-Day movement has raised over $120 million, educated people about violence against women, funded over 13,000 community-based-anti-violence programs and safe houses and crafted numerous campaigns.
Women’s Center MCC check presentation to WIRC.
“The V-Day campaign allows use of Eve Ensler’s works with no licensing costs so that the proceeds can be donated to local agencies that work to end violence against women and girls. This year’s V-Team and the Women’s Center are so glad to be able to support WIRC Victim Services in this way, because they do crucial work supporting survivors in the Macomb and surrounding communities,” said 2020 Alumna Megan Counter, who also served as the Women’s Center graduate assistant and producer for the 2020 ‘Vagina Monologues.’ “I want to give a sincere thank you to the individuals who came out to see the play this past spring and donated to this cause. This makes a direct impact on bettering the community and working to end gender-based violence.”
WIU’s partnership with WIRC-CAA dates back several years, including the annual Take Back the Night event each fall and The Clothesline Project each spring. The WIRC-CAA provides comprehensive support services to those experiencing domestic violence and sexual abuse/assault in their lives through its Victim Services Program.
“Thank you to Western Illinois University, the WIU Women’s Center, the Multicultural Center and all those who attended ‘The Vagina Monologues’ for your support of WIRC-CAA Victim Services. ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is an entertaining and important play that includes pieces on sexual violence and consent from different women’s perspectives. All proceeds from the celebrated play were generously donated to Victim Services to further our mission to provide free advocacy and counseling to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in west central Illinois,” said Naomi Taylor, director of the WIRC-CAA Victims Services. “We appreciate all of the years of continued support and collaboration for events with WIU, The Women’s Center, and the Multicultural Center regarding these important issues in our society.”
If you have experienced sexual or domestic abuse at any point in your life, call Victim Services’ free and confidential 24-hour crisis hotline at (309) 837-5555.
